The controversial raid on beauty salons was staged by police in North Aceh late on Saturday. The goal of the operation, dubbed “Anti Moral Illness,” was to prevent an increase in the number of LGBT people in the area, according to the North Aceh Police Chief Ahmad Untung Surianata, who led the operation personally.
In total, five beauty salons were raided and 12 transgender women detained. At least one of the salons reportedly remains closed after the operation. “These transvestites will be getting coaching until they really become men,” the police chief said, as quoted by Antara news agency.
The official said his actions were approved by local ulama (Islamic clergy) and that those detained would also undergo drug tests.
The detained transgender women had their heads shaved and were given clothing supposedly appropriate for males. “In addition, the officers also nurtured them by way of having them run for some time and telling them to chant loudly until their male voices came out,” the police chief added.
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