Amir Tedjo, Surabaya – Despite pledges not to conduct Ramadan-related raids, hard-line groups on Thursday descended on Surabaya's infamous red-light district to demand its closure during the holy month.
Under the umbrella of the United Islamic People's Movement (GUIB), elements from the Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI), Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), Islamic Defenders Force (LPI) and Muhammadiyah's youth wing marched through the country's second largest city before arriving at Dolly, the country's biggest prostitution complex.
Chanting prayers and jabbing their fists in the air, the men went from one brothel to another forcing owners to sign statements saying they would not operate during Ramadan.
Many of the brothels closed immediately and locked their doors, while most sex workers were too afraid to step out and confront the hardliners as they banged on the doors demanding to meet them. Some prostitutes, however, agreed to sign the prepared documents.
"It's good that this particular brothel responded," said Khoiruddin, a cleric from the Surabaya branch of the FPI. "We will get other brothels to sign these statements as well and put an end to this disgraceful practice."
Several workers claimed they were intimidated by the hard-liners' actions. "Maybe on Sunday I will go back home to Malang [East Java]," said one sex worker. "I have already saved some money so I will stay at home and do nothing."
Meanwhile, Sr. Comr. Rahmat Mulyana, a spokesman for the East Java Police, played down the raids, saying it was only for show. "[Hard-line Muslims] were just parading across town, reminding people that Ramadan is near. It just so happens that the route intersected with many entertainment centers and prostitution areas," he said. Rahmat added that the GUIB had secured permit to conduct the march.
Separately, Sumarno, a city official, said the administration would impose strict sanctions on those who violated a provincial decree forbidding discotheques, bars, night clubs and brothels from open during Ramadan. The city will also limit cinemas from showing movies from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. "If there is a violation, we will sanction them," Sumarno said.
The GUIB also visited several hotels on Jalan Embong Malang and forced their managers to sign statements in front of men with beards and white robes who shouted praises to Allah once they read the statements out loud.
The crowd later descended on Meteor, a one-stop entertainment center on Jalan Arjuna, and also asked to meet with its manager.
After failing to meet many of the brothel owners, members of the GUIB pledged to raid Dolly again and make sure those who signed the statements kept to their promises.