Nightspots will be closed during Idul Adha<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Smarting from public outcry against nightspots
\nahead of Idul Fitri last year, the city authorities will order
\nthe closure of the places one day before and after the Idul Adha
\nIslamic Day of Sacrifice, which falls on March 5.<\/p>\n
Head of the City Tourism Agency Parlindungan Hutabarat said on
\nMonday a gubernatorial decree is expected to be issued later this
\nweek.<\/p>\n
He called on the operators to remain calm, saying the city
\nauthorities would maintain their safety as well as law and public
\norder.<\/p>\n
Muslims perform the Idul Adha prayers on open fields and
\nmosque yards and slaughter goats and cattle on the holiday. They
\ndistribute the meat to the needy.<\/p>\n
Parlindungan admitted there were pressures from certain Muslim
\ngroups to close the nightspots from March 1 to March 8 to respect
\nthe holiday.<\/p>\n
\"But with regard to the needs and interests of all Jakartans,
\nI plead for the general public to understand that many residents
\nearn a living from the entertainment spots, so it will violate
\ntheir rights if the city administration bans the nightspots for
\ngood,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The latest Indonesian Association of Entertainment Center
\nOwners (Aspehindo) data revealed there are about 220
\nentertainment centers across the city, employing at least 150,000
\nworkers.<\/p>\n
Contacted separately, Aspehindo secretary-general Adrian
\nMaelite said all nightspot operators would comply with any
\nregulations issued by the government in connection with the
\nforthcoming Islamic holiday.<\/p>\n
\"We will be closed on Mar. 4 and Mar. 5, pending a further
\nannouncement from the city administration office,\" said Adrian.<\/p>\n
He added nightspot operators voluntarily suspended their
\nbusiness a day before and during Idul Adha last year.<\/p>\n
Aspehindo has prepared about 3,000 security guards in
\nanticipation of attacks on nightspots and would cooperate with
\nthe City Police and City Public Order office, according to
\nAdrian.<\/p>\n
Criticism<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, some city councillors criticized the city
\nadministration's plan, saying this would not solve the root of
\nthe problem -- the eradication of immoral activities believed to
\ntake place in several nightspots.<\/p>\n
\"The city administration must define the selection of these
\nentertainment centers and step up measures to enforce law on any
\nviolation of the regulation,\" Tjuk Sudono of the National Mandate
\nfaction (PAN) said.<\/p>\n
Another councillor, Mukhayar R.M. of the Justice faction (PK)
\nurged a stricter policy on defiant nightspots, including
\npermanent closure.<\/p>\n
Nightspots such as discotheques, massage parlors, bars and
\nother such places are often suspected of hosting drug trafficking
\nand immoral activities.<\/p>\n
Mukhayar reminded the administration that a wave of attacks on
\nnightspots by Islamic groups ahead of Idul Fitri were an
\nexpression of the public's disappointment with the city
\nadministration's controversial policy.<\/p>\n
\"I personally oppose any methods which lead to anarchy, but
\nthe city administration must accommodate public aspiration to
\nhelp Muslims perform their religious duty solemnly,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Last year, due to public pressure, the city administration
\nabandoned the 1999 City Bylaw and decided to close all
\ndiscotheques, night clubs, billiard centers and sauna parlors
\nuntil seven days after the post-fasting Idul Fitri celebration,
\nwhich marks the end of Ramadhan.<\/p>\n
Massage parlors operated by blind people were permitted to
\nremain open, but those caught organizing prostitution were
\nclosed.<\/p>\n
Nightclubs, discotheques and pubs located inside hotels were
\nallowed to operate normally, as they were considered as hotel
\nfacilities. (07)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/nightspots-will-be-closed-during-idul-adha-1447893297",
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