http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/batam-lawmaker-suggests-income-tax-on-prostitutes/358938
February 16, 2010 Batam Lawmaker Suggests Income Tax on Prostitutes A Regional House of Representatives member from Indonesia's Batam island has suggested that the municipal government apply a 10 percent income tax on prostitutes. Riky Solihin from the National Awakening Party (PKB) said that the income tax should be applied to prostitutes at rehabilitation centers, which he claimed had turned into brothels. He said the tax could be used for the development of the region. "I'm sure tax from prostitutes would boost Batam's regional income, which in the end could prove to be useful for development," Riky said on Monday, as quoted by Berita Lampung Online. The rehabilitation center that he referred to was located at Teluk Pandan, Batam. The Sintam Rehabilitation Center houses 1200 prostitutes who worked in 40 bars around the area. The prostitutes were forced to go to the center after being arrested, however Riky alleged that many who lived there were still working, and suggested that the 10 percent tax be applied to each "short-term transaction." The suggestion sparked instant controversy. Yudy Kurnia, the head of Commission II at the Batam's Regional House of Representatives, said Riky's suggestion was "insane." "If we applied income tax for prostitutes, it means we would be legalizing adultery. I think the idea is insane. It's very wrong," Yudi said. Meanwhile, the chairman of the PKB's central executive board, Marwan Ja'far, said the proposal was only Riky's personal opinion and not that of the party. Batam, located near Malaysia and Singapore, is notorious for its night life. On almost every corner, there are karaoke or disco bars that lure many prostitutes to make their living on the tiny island. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
