MELAKA: A 65-year-old woman is among the elderly sex workers soliciting customers at recreational areas along Sungai Melaka in this historical city.
When interviewed, the senior citizen said she has been involved in the flesh trade for over 52 years and her clients were mostly foreigners.
“I have to compete with more attractive transgender women and other prostitutes around my age.
“It’s a dying business – no locals want us now and we have to rely on foreigners,” she said, adding that the young ones have turned to social media to lure customers.
The woman said her fee has dropped and she now only charges RM20 per session.
“I used to take RM100 during my younger days,” she added.
A reliable source said instead of the riverside, sex services were gaining popularity in Taman Melaka Raya – where customers must make advance bookings to evade the authorities.
“Walk-ins are no longer entertained like before, except for certain budget hotels,” he said.
The charges range from RM200 to RM500 depending on the age of the sex workers, who are mostly foreigners.
Commenting on the existence of sex workers in the area, Kota Laksamana assemblyman Low Chee Leong said the conventional flesh trade has been there since the end of World War II.
“I have tried to help them and arranged for them to stay at a government-managed old folks home, but they refused to go.
“In an industry that is based on looks and appearances, it would be hard for them (to make a living),” he said.
Low said the police here are constantly taking action against vice-related activities.
