Malaysia
is one of the most conservative countries in Southeast Asia. This is very overt
when you wander around the cities and see most Malaysian wearing tudungs, or
head scarves. However, student prostitution, even by the Government’s own
admission, is rampant.
Prostitution
by students occurs in many forms across the country. In truth, it has been
happening for years. Even as far back as 2003, the Malaysian government set
up a committee to monitor foreign students who could be tempted to
enter the sex trade. This andother
initiatives to curb the problem have had little impact, with student
prostitution now a major underground industry involving both foreign and Malay
students.
Local
Malay girls who take up study in Kuala Lumpur usually come from “outstation” or
towns outside Klang Valley, where the nation’s capital Kuala Lumpur is
situated, and suddenly find themselves in the middle of a vibrant city after a
sheltered life at home. They meet other outgoing people at the college they
study at, and enjoy the new freedoms they have. This excitement lures them into
experimentation with this newly found lifestyle of going out to various ‘night
spots’, and restaurants.
These
girls are often introduced to a businessman by a friend who needs an extra girl
for a double date, for dinner. This may end up with a stay at one of the many
small hotels around KL. Many girls find the experience of having sex with
strangers after a dinner exciting. They are gratified by the tips usually given
to them afterwards, and soon find out this is a very easy way of making money.
In
this regard, many Malay girls don’t see themselves as prostitutes. Going out
with strangers is a way of having fun and getting some extra money to buy the
luxuries they want. They may undertake this activity spasmodically with a
select group of men they get to know, or begin do this on a regular basis to
make more money.
The
girls very quickly build up a ‘social circle of men’ through recommendations
given by satisfied clients. Much of Malay girls’ clientele is developed through
this method.
Local
Malay girls usually stick to Malay businessmen, hoping to get in with a rich
and generous “Datuk” who can look after them. However many are also interested
in expats. For some, this is an opportunity to experiment with sex before they
get married and settle down.
Although
the money is often seen just as a bonus, girls tend to seek generous types who
look after them financially. They are selective. The young women can make up to
RM500 (US$140) per encounter, and also get the opportunity to go away on
weekends where they can earn up to RM1,500, plus the presents like iPhones they
may be given.
(READ
MORE: Prostitution:
Thailand’s worst kept secret)
Some
Chinese and Indian girls may follow the above pattern and have a couple of
businessmen friends for the fun and extra money. Chinese girls like their own,
preferring Chinese businessmen, particularly those girls who are Chinese
educated.
Those
who have the urge for more regular encounters use one or more of the many
‘dating’ sites like Tagged, Cupid, and Adult Friend Finder. Some even advertise
in the classified pages of the local newspapers. The good thing about the
Internet is that they can pick and choose who they want.
Taking
on dates with businessmen on the side is usually enough to cover school fees
and buy the luxurious things they want. There are actually very few work
alternatives available, as wages in fast-food outlets or department stores are
extremely low and require many hours work commitment, which would interfere
with study. Prostitution is most often the best money making option to them.
Some
work as guest relations officers (GROs) in the various karaoke bars or pubs
around Kuala Lumpur, but this is very rare, and left more to foreign students. The
karaoke bars are inhabited by the Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipinas, Thais, and
some Cambodian and Lao girls. Indonesians tend to be found in one of the
many Dangdut Clubs around town, catering for the Malay speaking customers. Some
of these girls are just working to supplement their funds and pay their school
fees, while others work full-time for as long as they can before returning
home.
Some
work out of escort agencies, while a few, who are not genuine students may end
up in some of the massage parlors around Klang Valley. Many of these come to
Malaysia to undertake short English courses end up in brothels.
Foreign
students tend to rely more on others to organize their customers than locals,
who operate much more on a freelance basis. Businesses matching foreign
students with customers are now flourishing in Malaysia.
Another
group of foreign students from African countries like Ghana, Togo, Cameroon,
Botswana, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, prefer to stand outside the
popular night spots in KL. They can be seen around Jalan P Ramlee and KLCC area
each night. They tend to target the expatriate population.
Many
students in private colleges, particularly from the East Coast and East
Malaysia struggle to pay fees, so need to work to pay for their studies. At the
same time there is a heavy demand for student prostitutes around Klang Valley.
Student
prostitution is not limited to Malaysia, its common in many other places, even
in places like Budapest in Hungary. However its probably more rampant in
Malaysia due to the limited choices of work opportunities available to students
to pay for their education, and the limited number of student loans and
scholarships available in Malaysia to poor and needy families.
What
was a decade ago just a discreet practice of liaisons by local students with
local businessmen has grown due to the influx of foreign students into a
massive underground industry.
Asian
Correspondent – Pic: AP
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