Hardani Triyoga and Dani Randi, Banda Aceh – Banda Aceh Public Order Agency officers (Satpol PP) and the Wilayatul Hisbah (Religious police, WH) have sealed off two beauty salons in Seutui and Lamseupeng which were being used for deviant homosexual practices.
Banda Aceh Satpol PP and WH chief Efendi A. Latief said that the two salons were sealed off following a report from the public. The two salons are known to often violate Syariat Islam (Islamic Law).
"In accordance with the violations [committed] at the two salons, namely liwath violations (homosexuality), today we were ordered to seal off the two premises", Latief told journalists on Tuesday June 29.
Latief said that there was no resistance from the owners to the permanent closure of the salons as they were aware that they had violated Syariat Islam. Moreover the salons did not have a business permit.
"We have ordered that all goods [on the premises] be removed within 24 hours, the salons cannot reopen, they cannot live there anymore. The two salons don't have a permit", said Latief.
Latief also explained that the two alleged perpetrators of homosexuality who were arrested a short time ago will only be given guidance. This decision was taken after investigators questioned them.
"We will take the perpetrators of liwath for guidance because there have not yet been any acts which violate any qanun (bylaw). But it was already heading in that direction and we arrested them overnight at the two locations", said Latief.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Jadi Tempat Praktik Homoseksual, Dua Salon di Banda Aceh Disegel".]
