Billiard center owners in Bogor plead for leniency<\/p>\n
BOGOR (JP): Thirteen billiard center owners here requested on
\nThursday that the administration allow them to operate from noon
\nuntil a few minutes before the breaking of the fast during the
\nRamadhan fasting month.<\/p>\n
\"Our business is usually packed in the fasting month during
\ndaylight hours because people like to ngabuburit (local term for
\nspending hours before the breaking of the fast).<\/p>\n
If we close the business, it will be a great loss,\" said the
\nspokesman for the owners Ridwan Nasution.<\/p>\n
\"Therefore, we ask for permission to allow us to run our
\nbusinesses from 12 p.m. until about 6 p.m.,\" he said during a
\nmeeting with Bogor's head of social and political affairs office
\nE. Rukanda.<\/p>\n
The local authorities recently issued a closure order to all
\nentertainment spots during the fasting month to avoid the chaos
\nwhich recently occurred when mobs attacked nightspots.<\/p>\n
Calls to put an end to the alleged prostitution, gambling and
\ndrugs in entertainment centers in the Puncak area triggered in
\nrecent months frenzied attacks and arson at dozens of similar
\nsites.<\/p>\n
The business owners claimed that billiard centers were not
\nimproper or immoral places.<\/p>\n
\"Our business is a sports game. It's not a gambling den or
\nprostitution site,\" said Ridwan.<\/p>\n
He said the business managers had promised to monitor their
\npremises to prevent the possibility of any illegal activity
\ntaking place in them.<\/p>\n
\"We will keep an eye on gambling activities within the
\nbilliard centers, but we cannot be responsible if they happen
\noutside the premises.\"<\/p>\n
Ridwan said waitresses would wear appropriate clothing and
\nalcohol would be banned.<\/p>\n
Another billiard center owner, Yanta Wimar, added: \"We'll even
\nturn on Islamic religious songs to create a calm atmosphere.\"<\/p>\n
Rukanda, however, said that his office could not make an
\ninstantaneous decision on the matter.<\/p>\n
\"I have to consult the matter with the mayor and the head of
\nthe local police and military offices,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The billiard center owners urged Rukanda to allow them to keep
\ntheir businesses open during the negotiation period.<\/p>\n
\"We will take the risk,\" they said.<\/p>\n
Rukanda gave his approval for the action, but added \"if
\nsomething happens, you'll pay for the risk\".<\/p>\n
At least 50 entertainment spots, including discotheques, pubs
\nand alleged brothels, were either burned or destroyed earlier
\nthis month by angry rioters in Parung, Bogor.<\/p>\n
Thirteen hotels and entertainment centers in Cipayung and
\nCisarua subdistricts in the Bogor regency, were also destroyed
\nearlier in November, following reports they were used as brothels
\nand drug distribution centers. (24\/edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/billiard-center-owners-in-bogor-plead-for-leniency-1447893297",
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