Gréta Tímea Biró at Sapiens:
Dora and I walked through the quiet nighttime streets of Chow Kit, a downtown neighborhood in Kuala Lumpur. [1] Pungent food smells mingled with the sweet scent of fruit and flowers from a nearby market. Abandoned rainbow-colored confetti shivering under the dim, yellowish streetlights reminded us of some celebration that took place earlier. [2]
In the 1970s and 1980s, Chow Kit was a bustling red-light district. Today only around 15 to 20 sex workers can be seen on any given night, according to Dora. The decline is due to a worsening economy and increased surveillance by Islamic authorities.
“Most hide from the religious police in these rundown buildings, hoping to find clients using apps,” she said. As we passed a police station, Dora explained that officers required bribes from each sex worker to allow them to work. A local mafioso further exploited them, demanding “protection money” while offering no real security.
More here.
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