Multa Fidrus, Tangerang – Barflies and ladies' men of Tangerang regency had best live it up while they can.

The regency is considering adopting the ordinances on prostitution and the sale of alcoholic drinks that were set forth in Tangerang municipality last year.

The bylaws have been a great success in Tangerang municipality, said regency council speaker Endang Sudajana. "But the sex workers and alcoholic drinks sales have moved from the municipality to our doorstep," he said last week.

"Therefore, we should have similar local ordinances so the entire region is free from liquor and prostitution," he said.

The council is seeking suggestions from the public, police and public order officers in drafting two ordinances along the lines of the municipality's.

Three months after the ordinances came into effect, Tangerang Mayor Wahidin Halim stepped up efforts to enforce them.

The municipality bans the distribution and sale of alcoholic drinks, except in three- to five-star hotels and designated restaurants for on-the-spot consumption.

Tangerang also bans people in public places, places visible from the street or in red-light districts from persuading or coercing – either through words or gestures – others into acts of prostitution.

It also bans physical intimacy, hugging and/or kissing between two people of the opposite sex – for more than five minutes – in public places or places visible to the public, such as hotels, restaurants, entertainment centers or red-light districts. Violators of either ordinance could face up to three months' jail or a Rp 15 million fine.

Jayusman Muchtar, head of Selembaran Jaya subdistrict in Kosambi complained of an influx of sex workers from Tangerang municipality to Dadap, which is one of the regency's red-light districts. "I have voiced my complaints and urged the council to come up with ordinances like Tangerang municipality's," he said.

Meanwhile, the head of Sawah Lama subdistrict in Ciputat, Usman Affandi, also complained of the growing number of sex workers in Tegal Rotan, near Pondok Aren Barat tollgate in Bintaro.

"I am sure the population of sex workers increased after Tangerang municipality banned prostitution and liquor. We can't do anything about it because we don't have a law to get them out of here," he said.