Hard to go after prostitutes, say authorities
KOTA BARU: The alarming growth of the sex trade in Kelantan prompted Guchil assemblyman Dr Shamsul Ikhwan Datuk Ashaari Azmi (Barisan Nasional) to voice out his concerns at a legislative assembly sitting earlier this year.
He said he was aware that such activities existed and some of the sex workers even wore tudung (headscarves) to disguise themselves.
Dr Shamsul said some girls were even operating in the state capital, Kota Baru. Among the places they frequent were Jalan Hamzah, restaurants and dark alleys.
“I was informed about the activities by my constituents and a magazine has exposed the business ,” he said in an interview.
He said he was compelled to raise the issue because the state capital was declared an “Islamic City” last year.
According to Kelantan Bar committee member Krishman Ramiah, it is difficult to prove the act of prostitution in court.
“Just because a man sleeps with a woman does not make her a prostitute. Even if you pay her, how can it be proven in court that it is for prostitution unless someone testifies witnessing it?”
The raiding party must see the actual act of the woman offering the service before action can be taken.
Even then, it is difficult to obtain evidence to prosecute, he said.
From the enforcement point of view, State Acting CID division director Supt Shafee Ismail said police have been informed of such activities but were unable to get adequate evidence.
There is no organised vice in Kelantan and the police have yet to record any arrests linked to prostitution this year, he said.
“We hear reports of sex workers coming into Kelantan impersonating as waitresses or cooks but there are no complaints or evidence. We have checked out a few establishments but found no evidence to back up the allegations.”
The sex trade is mostly alleged to be prevailing in border towns like Tumpat and Rantau Panjang where Thai women can easily slip in and out of the state, he said.
State Immigration department director Md Solehan Omar said no official complaints have been recorded.
“How can we gather evidence? We storm in and find the women chatting with the diners. Is that an offence?”
State tourism committee chairman Datuk Anuar Tan Abdullah, who is also a PAS central working committee member, has dismissed the allegations, saying that since the state does not have discos or nightclubs, how can vice exist?
He said unlike the west coast, residents here were cultured and did not subscribe to such pursuits.
Sizzling action in Tumpat
KOTA BARU: Since many Malaysians have stopped crossing the border for sex romps in Golok because of the social unrest in southern Thailand, the good-time girls have hopped over to Kelantan instead.
Tumpat, which is near the border, is the “new Golok,” and many restaurants there serve more than just spicy tom yam.
The waitresses do more than just hand out menus, wipe the tables and serve food – they offer sexual services as “dessert.”
Some restaurants have cubicles at the back or on the first floor for “quickies” while in some cases, the girls follow their clients to their hotel rooms or take the guys to their rented homes.
Informed sources said the women, who are mostly Thais, are hired legally as waitresses, cooks and maids.
They have proper working permits, but moonlight as sex workers for extra cash.
In Golok, sex services are considerably cheaper – in Kelantan, the girls charge from RM100 to RM300. Such activities have seen a steady increase as news of the sex business began spreading by word of mouth.
“In light of escalating unrest in southern Thailand, especially in Golok, Kelantanese are afraid to frequent their usual haunts, so those in the sex industry have brought the women into the state instead. The saying here is “if we cannot go to Thailand, we bring Thailand to us',” one source said.
The sex business is conducted rather discreetly and those who are not aware of it would not realise that the restaurants are fronts for prostitution.
But many local folk know where the “action” is.
It is now a hot topic of discussion in a state renowned for its strict adherence to religious values.
Related Stories:
Hard to go after prostitutes, say authorities
Two gigolo wannabes come clean with story
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/8/27/nation/15245716&sec=nation
He said he was aware that such activities existed and some of the sex workers even wore tudung (headscarves) to disguise themselves.
Dr Shamsul said some girls were even operating in the state capital, Kota Baru. Among the places they frequent were Jalan Hamzah, restaurants and dark alleys.
“I was informed about the activities by my constituents and a magazine has exposed the business ,” he said in an interview.
He said he was compelled to raise the issue because the state capital was declared an “Islamic City” last year.
According to Kelantan Bar committee member Krishman Ramiah, it is difficult to prove the act of prostitution in court.
“Just because a man sleeps with a woman does not make her a prostitute. Even if you pay her, how can it be proven in court that it is for prostitution unless someone testifies witnessing it?”
The raiding party must see the actual act of the woman offering the service before action can be taken.
Even then, it is difficult to obtain evidence to prosecute, he said.
From the enforcement point of view, State Acting CID division director Supt Shafee Ismail said police have been informed of such activities but were unable to get adequate evidence.
There is no organised vice in Kelantan and the police have yet to record any arrests linked to prostitution this year, he said.
“We hear reports of sex workers coming into Kelantan impersonating as waitresses or cooks but there are no complaints or evidence. We have checked out a few establishments but found no evidence to back up the allegations.”
The sex trade is mostly alleged to be prevailing in border towns like Tumpat and Rantau Panjang where Thai women can easily slip in and out of the state, he said.
State Immigration department director Md Solehan Omar said no official complaints have been recorded.
“How can we gather evidence? We storm in and find the women chatting with the diners. Is that an offence?”
State tourism committee chairman Datuk Anuar Tan Abdullah, who is also a PAS central working committee member, has dismissed the allegations, saying that since the state does not have discos or nightclubs, how can vice exist?
He said unlike the west coast, residents here were cultured and did not subscribe to such pursuits.
Sizzling action in Tumpat
KOTA BARU: Since many Malaysians have stopped crossing the border for sex romps in Golok because of the social unrest in southern Thailand, the good-time girls have hopped over to Kelantan instead.
Tumpat, which is near the border, is the “new Golok,” and many restaurants there serve more than just spicy tom yam.
The waitresses do more than just hand out menus, wipe the tables and serve food – they offer sexual services as “dessert.”
Some restaurants have cubicles at the back or on the first floor for “quickies” while in some cases, the girls follow their clients to their hotel rooms or take the guys to their rented homes.
Informed sources said the women, who are mostly Thais, are hired legally as waitresses, cooks and maids.
They have proper working permits, but moonlight as sex workers for extra cash.
In Golok, sex services are considerably cheaper – in Kelantan, the girls charge from RM100 to RM300. Such activities have seen a steady increase as news of the sex business began spreading by word of mouth.
“In light of escalating unrest in southern Thailand, especially in Golok, Kelantanese are afraid to frequent their usual haunts, so those in the sex industry have brought the women into the state instead. The saying here is “if we cannot go to Thailand, we bring Thailand to us',” one source said.
The sex business is conducted rather discreetly and those who are not aware of it would not realise that the restaurants are fronts for prostitution.
But many local folk know where the “action” is.
It is now a hot topic of discussion in a state renowned for its strict adherence to religious values.
Related Stories:
Hard to go after prostitutes, say authorities
Two gigolo wannabes come clean with story
http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/8/27/nation/15245716&sec=nation
posted by SEE FU at 5:06 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home