Bukittingi, Batamnews - In Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, Indonesia, the Satuan Polisi Pamong Praja (Satpol PP) raided a prostitution ring involving lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals in the city. Ironically, three out of the four perpetrators who were arrested tested positive for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

LGBT activities in West Sumatra are considered taboo and violate religious and legal norms. Bukittinggi Mayor, Erman Safar, revealed that the activities of the perpetrators have been disturbing the residents, and they have also been using the name of Bukittinggi on their social media accounts.

"Four people were caught, none of them are residents of Bukittinggi, but they were operating in Bukittinggi," Erman said on Friday (28/4/2023).

Erman also revealed that three of the men arrested in the Parik Putuih area, Ampek Angkek District, Agam Regency, tested positive for HIV.

"Three out of four of these people are HIV positive, and one is not. The two who tested positive have each serviced 1,200 people. Some used contraception, while others did not," he said.

Previously, the Bukittinggi Satpol PP had arrested four suspects in the LGBT case. Two of them are suspected to be administrators of a social media account for same-sex enthusiasts named "Gay Bukittinggi." The authorities will conduct further investigations into the case soon.