T

he title of the Indonesian version of my book Sex, Power and Nation is Agama, Seks dan Kekuasaan (Religion, Sex and Power), but it could also be the title of Anies Baswedan’s and Sandiaga Uno’s new governorship, at least the beginning.

The reason? Their first gebrakan (strike) was to close down the Alexis Hotel, reportedly a “den of immorality.” It was in fact one of their campaign promises, so they were applauded by their supporters for being able to immediately implement it.

Alexis was rumored to be one of the most luxurious brothels in Jakarta, a “pioneer that sets the benchmark for adult one stop entertainment hotel” and “the dreamland for men” (Coconuts online journal citing the Alexis website).

I don’t remember Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, Anies’ predecessor, currently jailed for blasphemy, making any such promises, but he also cracked down on prostitution. He turned the infamous red-light district of Kalijodo into a skate park and a children-friendly public open space (RPTRA). When criticized that he only targeted street-level prostitution, Ahok said no, he also closed down two high-class establishments, the Stadium and Milles.

Tri Rismaharini, Mayor of Surabaya, East Java, popularly known as Risma, famously closed down Dolly, in its heyday the largest prostitution complex in Southeast Asia. Ridwan “Emil” Kamil, Mayor of Bandung, West Java, also did the same, closing down Saritem, the biggest prostitution complex in the city.

What happened to the sex workers after the closures? Post-Dolly, they were givencounseling and compensation, but hardly enough to make up for the loss from their traditional source of income. The former Dolly sex workers went underground and undercover, operating in spas, karaoke bars, discotheques and of course, hotels.

Closing down Dolly devastated the local economy. Risma was also criticized that in her haste to close down Dolly, she failed to consider the economic needs of the Dolly community. The people who live around the complex had a symbiotic relationship with the inhabitants of Dolly, providing food, laundry and other services.

In Jakarta, virtually all five-star hotels cater to high-class prostitution. A general manager of one such hotel openly admitted this to me and that a luxury hotel provides the discretion needed for wealthy businessmen and high-ranking government officials who use these hotels. The rates of these high-class, sometimes celebrity prostitutes, go into the hundreds of millions. Who could afford such high rates? Ahok’s reply “Who else if not government officials?”

In Soeharto’s New Order, the practice of “one woman, one project,” using not just money, but also women to bribe government officials, was standard practice.

In present day Indonesia, the practice continues. According to Insp. Gen. Anton Charliyan, Head of the National Police Public Relations Division (in 2015), monetary gratification (corruption) and sexual gratification (prostitution) are closely linked.

The regency of Indramayu in West Java is famous for its mangoes. It’s also famous for its sex workers. In fact, it’s a region in Indonesia “that supplies a disproportionate number of the country’s prostitutes, many in their mid-teens” (see Girls for sale: Indramayu’s prostitution production line by Michael Bachelard, The Age, March 13, 2015 — excellent article!).

If a family needs a house, all they would need to do is sell off their daughter. They get a loan for their purchase, and it’s the daughter who gradually pays it off through her sex work. So instead of using credit cards (not readily available in the village), just credits off your daughter! What paragon of virtue parents! Thanks Mom and Dad!

And then of course, in a time of online everything, prostitution also exists virtually (if not virtuously — sic!). Sex services are offered via SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook and for those who still use telephones, via phone.

In short, prostitution is ubiquitous. Like hardy weeds, you kill them, they spring up again. Even the raids that are conducted by the police are invariably a means of income for the public order officers. The sex workers pay them off, and they can carry on plying their trade — until the next raid, and so the cycle continues.

The Social Affairs Ministry has a goal for Indonesia, that by 2019, the nation will be free of prostitution. Dream on. Even Emil admitted that Bandung could never be totally free of prostitution.

The idea of a prostitution-free Indonesia came about through Khofifah Indar Parawansa, whose term as social services minister runs from 2014 to 2019, hence the 2019 target. She hails from the National Awakening Party (PKB), a moderate Islamic party, but when it comes to prostitution, all Muslim parties and people are conservative.

Unless you’re Ali Sadikin, that is. He was governor of Jakarta from 1966 to 1977. He was sometimes given the title of gubernur maksiat — “governor of vice” (as opposed to “vice governor” that would be his deputy!) because he legalized prostitution and used the revenue generated to build schools, health clinics and other necessary public facilities.

In contrast, Anies stated that he was unwilling to accept the Rp 30 billion (US$2.3 million) taxes from Hotel Alexis which he says is immoral money. Obviously he is loath to take a page from Ali Sadikin’s governorship, which was one of the most successful in the history of Jakarta.

Prostitution has existed since colonial times (and no doubt before) and is woven into the fabric of Indonesian social, political and economic life. For the lower classes, economic factors — i.e. poverty — is the strongest motivating force. Eradicating poverty, improving education, providing jobs would help to stem prostitution but it would never totally eradicate it, as high-class and celebrity prostitution attests, kept alive by none other than the patronage of our esteemed government officials.

So why did Anies close down Alexis as his first strike? It’s the easiest thing to do and immediately “effective” — in terms of demonstration effect. But prostitution is not called the oldest profession for nothing. The initiator of the “Free Indonesia from Prostitution by 2019” campaign, Khofifah herself, is currently running for the position of governor of East Java for 2018. Hey lady, if you win, and step down as Minister of Social Affairs, what happens to your campaign? So much for your commitment!

I agree that child prostitution and trafficking are horrific and need to be abolished. But attempting to eradicate prostitution overall is an exercise in futility. Let’s hope that the following gebrakans of our new Jakarta governor are not as futile as their first one!
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The writer is the author of Sex, Power and Nation.