BY: KEN WATANABE

In most advanced and developed countries sex workers are legalized and they hold a health certificate to ply their business. Since prostitution is considered to be one of the oldest professions in the world this does not come as a surprise.

In many other countries, the debate rages on whether to legalize sex workers, especially in Asian countries, and in a country like Malaysia. So far in this nation there has been no firm and decisive stand on legalizing prostitutes.

Therefore, sex services are offered incognito on the Internet by sex workers or in collaboration with pimps. Certain areas in the country have also come to be recognized and designated as red light districts where prostitutes solicit for customers.

Owing to such rampant, widespread and unchecked activities, there is a subsequent rise in social ills such as abortion, sexually transmitted diseases like venereal disease and AIDS, drug addiction and rising theft and crime.

These are all activities that go together simply because they are illegal. If prostitution has been around since the beginning of time it is only logical to conclude that it cannot be eradicated. This is reason enough why it should be legalized, regulated and monitored.

By doing so, the authorities will bring the situation under their purview and control and the ill effects of these nefarious activities can be stymied. This is why Malaysia should study and follow in the way of countries that have met with success in legalizing sex workers.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher