The Chief of the Bali Provincial Enforcement Agency (SatPol PP Bali), Dewa Darmadi, is threatening stern action against the Amnesti (Amnes) Spa in Nusa Dua, accused of employing underage girls.
According to BeritaBali.com and RadarBali.com, the spas are suspected of being a front for an illicit prostitution business employing underage girls.
Dewa promises stern and rapid remedial action in the case, saying on Wednesday, 17 July 2024: “We truly understand that the spa business in Bali is a supporting member of the tourism industry. But, we must not let the desire to support tourism allow local norms on morality and culture to be violated and ignored. Bali tourism is cultural tourism.” Adding: “Don’t tarnish our cultural tourism with eccentric activities that are merely profit-oriented,” he said.
Darmadi expressed surprise when informed that Spa Amnes was employing underage girls. He said he would coordinate with other related parties to check on reports that the spa business was illegally employing minors.
“We will follow up on this information, check and confirm the location, the current permits in hand, and the actual nature of the operation. We will check the field carefully and ensure that if there are any violations, we will prosecute them,” Darmadi added.
Such businesses must comply with societal norms and be guided by decency. “Don’t tarnish our cultural tourism with eccentric activities that are only concerned with profit,” Darmadi said.
Darmadi was also very surprised by information that Spa Amnes also employed underage children or girls. He will coordinate with other related parties to check the spa business that is suspected of employing minors.
“We will follow up on this good information; we will check and confirm the location, what the permits are, and how the spa operations are conducted. We will check the field carefully and ensure that if there are any violations, we will prosecute it,” he said.
He also considered Spa Amnes‘ public advertisements vulgar and condemned them as tending towards prostitution. There are dozens of spas surrounding Badung Regency. However, not all spas in Badung contribute to increasing Regional Tax Incom, especially when they are fraudulent and unlicensed.
Darmadi claimed the Spa was a guise for illicit sex (i.e., prostitution) and, what’s more, was employing minors as therapists to satisfy the desires of philanderers.
The Amnes Spa in Nusa Nusa Dua, on the Ngurah Rai Bypass No. 78, Benoa, South Kuta, Badung Regency, is a branch of Amnesti Spa, Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai, Tuban, which was recently caught by investigators employing underage female therapists.
A local area resident told BeritaBali.com, “Amnes or Amnesty Spa Nusa Dua was raided two or three months ago by police for employing minors from West Java. During the raid, I saw all this firsthand.”
Residents living near the Nusa Dua area spa told local authorities that they suspected the business was offering immoral activities that violate regional laws and regulations under the guise of operating a spa. The Resident also alleged the Spa lacks a proper business license.
The Spa is accused of not having a proper business permit (Izin Usaha/TDUP) or a Business Operation Registration Number (NIB),
Meanwhile, Audi, the spa manager, claimed the business had been tricked by young employees who were 14 years old but claimed to be 21.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Badung Regency Enforcement Agency (Kasatpol PP Badung), I Gusti Agung Ketut Suryanegara, promised follow-up enforcement shortly. In addition to the Amnes Spa Nusa Dua and Amnesti Spa in Kuta, there are other spas also under scrutiny, including Onasis Spa, Ibiza Spa, Zona Spa, and Office Spa.
The Amnes Spa also presents promotional material offering various “services” between 60 and 90 minutes long. The services listed are bathing, traditional massage, vitality massage, exfoliation, hot and cold therapy, and “happy ending massage.” Prices range from Rp. 1 million to Rp. 1.25 million.
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