Closure of entertainment centers lamented<\/p>\n
Emmy Fitri and Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Some entertainment places, in particular those located in
\nluxury hotels, will remain open as usual during the fasting
\nmonth. Others, like cafes, restaurants, bars and karaoke lounges,
\nwill have to limited their opening hours. But discotheques,
\nnightclubs, gaming centers, massage parlors and some other
\nentertainment centers will have to close down completely for the
\nentire month.<\/p>\n
The new ruling will affect all those who work in the
\nentertainment business and also their customers.<\/p>\n
Zulkifli Hatta, 24, a waiter at Kabuki discotheque in
\nLokasari, West Jakarta: It will depend on our managers whether we
\nopen or not. We will follow their orders when they issue them.
\nOur problem is that we rely heavily on tips given by our
\ncustomers. Those tips sometimes exceed our monthly salary. I
\nreceive Rp 600,000 per month, but if the discotheque is crowded,
\nI can get around Rp 200,000 just in one night.<\/p>\n
Personally, as a Muslim, I understand if people stay away from
\nentertainment and night spots during the fasting month but
\nJakarta is not only inhibited by Muslims. Many non-Muslims will
\nstill want to go out, relax and enjoy themselves.<\/p>\n
As for demonstrations or attacks by Muslim hardline groups?
\nThey did visit once, but they soon dispersed after talking with
\nthe bosses of the discotheque. We are also humans who still need
\nmoney. Frankly speaking, I am not really worried about the plan
\nbecause in previous years many discotheques and other
\nentertainment spots in certain locations remained open during the
\nmonth of fasting, thanks to good relations with security
\npersonnel and officials from the city administration.<\/p>\n
Mulawarman, 38, an employee at Atlanta discotheque in
\nLokasari, West Jakarta: It's hard for me to imagine that we
\nreally have to stop working during Ramadhan. I have to feed my
\nspouse and three children and my wife is a housewife. They still
\nneed to eat and to celebrate the Idul Fitri holidays properly.<\/p>\n
During Ramadhan and Idul Fitri, food and clothing prices
\nusually soar. Where am I supposed to earn the extra money to buy
\nsuch stuff for my family. I think the city administration should
\nissue a wiser regulation on the matter. Basically, it is usually
\na hard time for us, as workers at nightspots, because the
\nclosures mean a substantial reduction in our income.<\/p>\n
Lisna (not her real name), 22, a cashier at Rasa Sayang
\nmassage parlor on Jl. Pangeran Jayakarta, Central Jakarta: I
\nhaven't heard any plan (to close temporarily) from our management
\nbut I have heard from some colleagues who are concerned and
\nworried about the closure.<\/p>\n
To some of us, it is disappointing because we will miss the
\ntips from our customers as our salary is not that big. I don't
\nknow what to do if the bosses really follow the regulation (to
\nclose). I guess I would have to take a whole month off for a
\nholiday. But, I cannot go home to my hometown in Brebes, Central
\nJava because I don't have enough money for that.<\/p>\n
Youngky Iskandar, owner of a automotive workshop on Jl.
\nCideng, Central Jakarta: What I will miss is being able to have a
\ngood time with my friends and colleagues at night. We just like
\nto spend the night there (at the discotheques or entertainment
\nspots) and do not necessarily commit sinful acts. I think it is
\nnot wise for the city administration to issue instructions to
\nclose entertainment businesses. Many people rely on their
\nbusiness for their livelihood. I can't imagine what they will do
\nto cope. However, I can still go to places in hotels where discos
\nand bars are not closed.<\/p>\n
Azwar Hasan, 30, lecturer at the University of Indonesia: To
\nfully close amusement and entertainment centers during Ramadhan
\nwould be a violation to the rights and interests of others. What
\nabout the rights of the business people who make their living
\nfrom these places and the rights of their workers? The government
\nshould be able to come up with a solution that could accommodate
\nthe interests of all and not just a certain group.<\/p>\n
The purpose of the fasting month for Muslims is to battle with
\nhuman desires. If there's nothing to encounter, what would be the
\nchallenge?<\/p>\n
As for the threat from some Muslim groups, the law and its
\napparatus must be able to protect all Indonesians with its
\nvarious interests.<\/p>\n
Iwan Novyanto, 27, employee: It would be better if there could
\nbe a special arrangement for opening hours, such as after the
\nfasting prayers. If the place is closed for the entire month what
\nabout the staff of these places?<\/p>\n
Mario Vikardo, 24, employee: Even fasting has its hours. We
\ndon't fast for the whole 24-hours during the entire month of
\nRamadhan. The administration's plan is ridiculous as it does not
\naccommodate the rights of other people.<\/p>",
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