They might not be related, but a Bali lawmaker said on Monday that the increasing number of people infected with HIV and AIDS on the island is due to the high number of cafes.

Bali Representative Council (DPRD) commission deputy head Ketut Kariyasa Adnyana said the spread of the disease goes along with the spread of cafes to the remote areas of Bali.

“Cafes have spread into remote villages on the island,” Made said. “The condition is worrying because of the high spread of HIV and AIDS. Many of the victims are housewives who got infected from their husbands.”

Bali DPRD commission head Made Arjaya said the sleazy joints were places for undercover prostitution.

“Data shows that 1,000 commercial sex workers in Bali have been infected by HIV and AIDS,” Arjaya said. “Many of them work undercover.”

Arjaya said he appreciated the governor’s firm decision to close down cafes that have been used for prostitution.

While Arjaya called for closing down the cafes, Adnyana said prostitution should be centralized for easier control and observation.

“If cafes are spread in many places, there are even some in residential areas, it is hard to observe them,” he said. “Centralizing the location will make it easier to supervise and control the threat of the disease.”

Another lawmaker, Utami Dwi Suryadi, advised husbands to think twice before going to such cafes.

Bali Lawmaker: HIV Spreading Because of Cafes on Bali | The Jakarta Globe