While Batam is looking to legalize brothels, clerics in Bangkalan in Madura, East Java, have demanded prostitution be banned.

Local clerics urged the provincial legislature on Friday for the passage of the draft ordinance banning prostitution and adultery.

Fakhrillah Aschall, from the Bangkalan Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), said the government should immediately issue anti-prostitution regulations due to widespread and covert prostitution in Madura following the opening of the 5,438-meter long Suramadu Bridge last year.

"Madura is known as religious place, but many cafes and lodgings offer the services of sex workers. Some of the resort areas have even been turned into places of prostitution," Fakhrillah told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

He said hundreds of clerics had given their support and stated they were ready to oversee the draft process until the anti-prostitution law was enacted.

Read the full article on thejakartapost.com.