Morality police out of control in Tangerang Java

Tangerang, the suburb just west of Jakarta has introduced some morality laws recently. The person behind these are the mayor, Wahidin Halim. Recently Tangerang was in the news for banning public kissing…longer than 5 minutes.

The latest incident involved 35 year old housewife, Lilies Lindawati, who was arrested and put on trial for being a prostitute. Back in February, when the incident occured, it was 7 p.m., and she was returning after an unsuccessful attempt to secure her final month’s pay from her workplace, a restaurant that closed the week before. She needed it to pay for her daughter’s school fees. Suddenly, she was shocked as five public order officers approached and, calling her a prostitute, bundled her into a van. “I asked them why they were arresting me, but they said to save it for later at their office. I told them that I had a husband, but they ignored me.” she said.

Also dragged into the van were 2 teenage girlss sitting in a cafe and a 63 year old woman buying fruit at the streetsdie stall. Next day the Tangerang City Council set up a kangaroo court, in the park next to City Hall. Locals were laughing and jeringas the women took turns to see the judge. Lilies told the judge she had a husband who could prove she was not a prostitute, but wasn’t allowed to call him. Her fine was 300,000rp.

Its a fine example of moronic government, moronic law enforcement and a moronic legal system. The incident was embarrassing for the whole family, and Lilies is still reluctant to leave her home, but plans to take the mayor to court. When the Jakarta Post asked her husband whether he would support his wife in her legal battle, Kustoyo wept and was silent for a moment.

“They (the Tangerang Education agency) made me sign an agreement that I would not take the mayor to court,” said the 20-year teaching veteran. But he added he was willing to lose his job to support his wife.