Batam – Muslim legal arbiters in this Riau Islands city on Tuesday rejected a recently floated idea to levy a tax on prostitution to increase the local government's income.
"Such taxation would create the impression that prostitution was legal. Of course we strongly reject it," said Usman Ahmad, the head of the Indonesian Ulema Council in Batam.
Riki Syolihin, a member of Batam's legislative council, had said that the island, a popular weekend destination for visitors from nearby Singapore, could make Rp 6.4 billion ($685,000) in additional revenue every year if prostitutes were charged a 10 percent income tax.
Riki, a lawmaker from the National Awakening Party (PKB), suggested that the income tax be applied to prostitutes at rehabilitation centers, which he claimed functioned as brothels.
He referred specifically to the Sintam Rehabilitation Center in the Teluk Pandan area, which he said was home to about 40 bars, with about 30 prostitutes working at each bar.
Prostitutes are placed in the center after being arrested, but Riki said many of the women at the center continued to work. He suggested that the 10 percent tax be applied to each "short-term transaction."
"If the tax is Rp 150,000 times 1,200 prostitutes times 30 days for 12 months, the revenue could reach Rp 6.4 billion," Riki said, adding that the money could be used to develop the region.
Usman said the suggestion was unthinkable. "Whatever the reasons are, prostitution is not good for the public, and the ulema refuse to accept public tax revenue from prostitution," he said.
Chablullah Wibisoniyang, chairman of the Riau Islands branch of Muhammadiyah, the country's second largest Muslim organization, said the proposal would be tantamount to legalizing prostitution.
Since prostitution is illegal, the money that comes from it is also illegal, he said. However, he agreed with the idea of Batam's government levying regional taxes on related services in areas where prostitution takes place.
"It is alright if the government taxes restaurants, hotels and taxis operating near the area," Chablullah said.
Yudy Kurnia, another Batam legislative councilor, said Riki's suggestion was "insane." "If we applied income tax to prostitutes, we would be legalizing adultery. I think the idea is insane. It's very wrong," Yudy told Berita Lampung Online.
Imam Nahrowi, the head of the PKB's central executive board, said he did not know anything about Riki's proposal. "We don't have any policies regarding the matter. We will confirm with Riki and find out what the motive was behind the idea," Imam told detik.com on Tuesday.
Located near Malaysia as well as Singapore, Batam is notorious for its nightlife. On almost every corner there are karaoke or disco bars where many prostitutes make their living. (JG, Antara)