Nightspots urged to stop business during Ramadhan<\/p>\n
BOGOR (JP): Local authorities have suggested owners of all
\nentertainment centers here agree to demands aired by different
\norganizations recently and temporarily close their businesses
\nprior to and during the Ramadhan fasting month.<\/p>\n
"We were tipped-off a couple of days ago that mobs would burn
\nthe nightspots here (should the management fail to meet their
\ncalls)," E. Rukanda, head of Bogor's social and political office,
\ntold reporters here on Thursday.<\/p>\n
A willingness to close their establishments for a time would
\nhelp calm the people, who have repeatedly threatened to attack
\nthem and have actively declared war against immorality in their
\ntown, he said.<\/p>\n
Different groups of local people have set a deadline of
\nSaturday this week for the owners to have shut down their
\nbusinesses.<\/p>\n
They have actually demanded that the nightspots, which they
\nclaim are used for sex and drug transactions, close forever,
\ninstead of only during the fasting month, as suggested by
\nRukanda.<\/p>\n
According to Rukanda, the night spots mentioned by the groups
\nto be in danger of arson attacks are, among others, the Puri Mira
\ndangdut music hall in Tajur; Sukasari Karaoke, Spektrum
\nDiscotheque and Raja In Hotel on Jl. Padjajaran; and Bambu In
\nmotel and Pondok Nirmala on Jl. Raya Kemang.<\/p>\n
As of Thursday, tension was still evident in Bogor as well as
\nat several spots in the nearby Cipanas resort area of Puncak,
\nfollowing attacks against similar establishments earlier last
\nmonth and the mass "anti-vice" rally on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The mountainous area of Puncak and Bogor have long been
\nfavorite weekend spots for Jakartans. In the past few years they
\nhave witnessed a mushrooming growth of new hotels, nightclubs,
\ndiscotheques, dancing halls, motels and villas.<\/p>\n
Local people have accused such places of being centers of drug
\ndealing, prostitution and gambling.<\/p>\n
Rukanda said, "In a bid to anticipate further disputes, the
\nadministration has indeed summoned the management of the places.<\/p>\n
"They have been ordered to hang 'anti narcotic, liquor and
\nprostitution' banners outside their establishments to avoid
\npossible frenzied attacks by mobs."<\/p>\n
So far, several nightspots in Bogor have already fulfilled the
\nsummons by posting such signs in front of their premises, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Besides hanging banners, the management, through event
\ncoordinators and disc jockeys, must urge visitors not be involved
\nin drug dealing or prostitution when in the buildings, he said.<\/p>\n
"We also hope that owners of the establishment will comply
\nwith the order and close them down for the whole fasting month,"
\nRukanda said.<\/p>\n
Ramadhan this year is expected to start next Thursday.<\/p>\n
Rukanda, however, admitted that it was impossible to shut down
\nthe entertainment spots for the entire fasting month because many
\npeople, including the people employed in such places, would
\nsuffer.<\/p>\n
"The workers are expecting money to celebrate Idul Fitri," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Moreover, the existing regulation stipulates that the
\nentertainment spots must be closed for only three days before
\nRamadhan begins and three days after Idul Fitri.<\/p>\n
"While in the fasting month, it all depends on the business
\nowners. Let's just hope that everything goes peacefully," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Dozens of angry rioters destroyed and burned 13 hotels and
\nentertainment centers in Cipayung and Cisarua subdistricts in
\nNovember, following reports they were used as brothels and
\ncenters for drug distribution.<\/p>\n
More than 2,000 workers lost their jobs as a result of the
\nrioting.<\/p>\n
A similar attack occurred in the nearby town of Bekasi on
\nMonday, where at least 20 houses allegedly used as brothels were
\nransacked and three kiosks were set on fire by a 500-strong mob.<\/p>\n
Up until Thursday police have not yet made any arrests.<\/p>\n
Bogor Police also have been unable to identify the people who
\nburned and destroyed the hotels and night spots in Cipayung and
\nCisarua, saying that "the attack was a collective movement".
\n(21\/edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/nightspots-urged-to-stop-business-during-ramadhan-1447893297",
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