Amir Tejo, Surabaya – While the president and vice president-elect were busy putting possible cabinet ministers through the fit and proper test over the weekend, some 20 sex workers and 50 madams from a red-light district in Surabaya joined local dignitaries and religious leaders to pray that the new cabinet would be first rate.

The workers of Kremil, the oldest red-light district in Surabaya, all members of the Union of Kremil Residents, gathered at a hall to pray that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice-president elect Boediono would choose their ministers well.

"The future of this country for the next five years is in their hands," said Daniel Lukas Rorong, the union's spokesperson and coordinator. "Most importantly, they should stay away from corruption."

The sex workers prayed side by side with officials, clerics, political party members and other residents. Many shed tears.

"We hope SBY's new administration will pay more attention to the little people like me," Sutini, 55, a madam, tearfully said after the communal prayer.

Siti, 40, a prostitute, said she hoped the government would provide work opportunities that could move her out of the profession.

"If I were given a chance for another job, I would quit. I want so much to stop being a sex worker," Siti said, adding that she had been forced into prostitution by economic necessity after her husband divorced her 10 years ago and left her with two children to raise.

Siti said she and her coworkers were unimpressed with Yudhoyono's first cabinet because prices of basic commodities were still too high. The next cabinet's main job should be making it easier for common people to fulfill their basic needs, she said.