ALOR STAR, MALAYSIA - For almost 50 years, a banana plantation in Lorong Petani near Jalan Teluk Wanjah here offered much more than fruits.

It was a centre for sexual activities which, for reasons unknown, was allowed to thrive in the area.

But yesterday, the prostitution centre, which comprised a wooden house, two huts and several tents, was demolished by the Alor Star City Council.

It was learnt that the structures had been demolished on many occasions previously and the prostitutes rounded up by the authorities, but within days, the structures were up again and it was business as usual.

Touts would hang around the area and invite clients deep into the plantation and into their base.

It was learnt that the customers were charged RM17 ($7) for 20 minutes.

Residents heaved a sigh of relief yesterday when scores of enforcement officers from the council, the State Religious Department, Welfare Services Department and police raided the place.

No one was arrested as the prostitutes, their clients and pimps were believed to have been tipped off and they fled before the raiding party arrived .

Council operations director Md Nayan Bahari said the clean-up was due to the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad double-tracking project which is to begin soon.