The Banyumas AIDS Commission (KPAD) claims the regency administration has failed to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS by tolerating sex-workers operating at the Baturraden tourism destination.
Banyumas KPAD member Sudjatmiko said the regency administration had misled authorities by declaring the Baturaden red-light district illegal but then taking no action to control it, potentially boosting the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Currently, he said, there were 250 sex-workers living and operating in six compounds in Gang Sadar -- or Aware Alley, a popular name for the sex district.
"They (regency) are working in a gray area, where no regulations can restrict them. Hundreds of millions of rupiah pass through this district everyday," he said.
"Many illegal payments are also made to certain police officers.
"The most concerning prospect here is the uncontrolled spread of HIV/AIDS," said Sudjatmiko, adding that once only two compounds existed at Gang Sadar.
According to KPAD data, Banyumas was the second highest region in Central Java prone to HIV/AIDS after Semarang city, with 250 people living with the virus as of November. Thirty-eight of these people have since reportedly died.
Sudjatmiko said he contacted the appropriate authorities in Banyumas, such as the regent and police chief, to try and organize a discussion on what action should be taken to control the activities at Gang Sadar.
"We hope that later on we may have regulations in place to control activities in the red-light district," he said.
"So far the development of Gang Sadar is totally unregulated. It has expanded from two to six compounds."
The criminal activity has drawn rogue security officers to the red-light area, who act as "muscle for hire" and demand protection money from pimps.
"If the fees are not paid or high enough, there will be violent consequences," said Sudjatmiko.
"The fees range between Rp 5 million (US$476) and Rp 10 million, and that does not include many incidental fees."
Activities in Gang Sadar, he said, began in the 1980s when prostitutes started renting rooms in the alley.
Since then, many protests have taken place demanding the closure of the Gang Sadar facilities, widely believed to be backed by the regency administration.
"The regency administration declared the compound illegal in 1998 but never really closed it down," said Sudjatmiko.
Contacted separately, Banyumas legislative council deputy speaker Musaddad Bikri Noor called upon the health agency to control the spread of HIV/AIDS in the regency, particularly in Baturraden.
"Not all prostitutes are aware they should have routine check-ups. We should make such tests mandatory every week or two," he said.
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