Padang, West Sumatra (ANTARA News) - The district court in Padang, West Sumatra, has sentenced two girls to a year in jail for performing striptease dances at a cafe here in September last year.

Silfi and Nofera, caught by city administration police officers while performing the dances, cried upon hearing the verdict.

Without being accompanied by lawyers the two accepted the sentence and would not appeal it.

"I accept the sentence, Sir," Silfi said in tears while trying to wipe it out using the headscarf she was wearing.

Silfi and Nofera however would only serve the sentence for seven months as they had spent time in detention since October, 2011.

Judge Farmiron said "there are no reasons to pardon them. The two were declared guilty of breaking Article 34 of Law Number 44, 2008 on pornography.

"The defendants were proven to deliberately perform naked as models and objects before the public," chief judge Asmar said.

He said their action had disturbed the public and hurt the traditional values maintained in Minangkabau.

The two have also been considered opposing the government`s efforts to five vices including pornography.

"Factors in favor of them are the two have never been jailed and regretted their action," judge Yoserizal said.

The judges also said the two performed the dances to meet the request of Edi, Andre and someone whose identity was not yet known, in exchange for Rp1 million.

The two confessed they were willing to perform the dances because they needed the money. Silfi needed the money to pay medical treatment for her illness while Nofera needed it to pay credit installment.
(*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2012