PKS promises not to take hard-line on nightspots<\/p>\n
Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Known for its Islamic outlook, the emergence of the Prosperous
\nJustice Party (PKS) as a major faction in the Jakarta City
\nCouncil has raised concerns for businessmen who own entertainment
\nspots, who worry that the councillors will take an narrow view on
\nnightspots.<\/p>\n
This fear, however, was dismissed by council PKS faction
\nchairman Gunawan on Thursday since a hard-line policy would spark
\nunrest in society. He added that a repressive approach would be
\ncounterproductive if the public was not ready to accept it.<\/p>\n
\"We will not force the society to follow certain values if
\nthey are not ready. We prefer to use a persuasive approach
\nthrough a long process of education. We know it takes time,\" he
\ntold The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
He stressed that the PKS did not agree to the use of violence
\nin regulating nightspots -- such as night clubs, karaoke bars,
\nmassage centers and discotheques -- which for strict Muslims are
\nnot in line with Islamic teachings.<\/p>\n
Entertainment spots have contributed on average around Rp 34
\nbillion (US$3.72 million) monthly in entertainment tax to city
\nrevenue, according to secretary-general of the Indonesian
\nEntertainment Business Association (Aspehindo) Adrian Maelite.<\/p>\n
There are around 1,300 companies running various night
\nentertainment centers in the city, which employ around 240,000
\nworkers.<\/p>\n
PKS faction secretary Salamat Nurdin added there were also
\nother social problems such as prostitutions and gambling, which
\nran counter to Islamic values.<\/p>\n
But, he said, PKS also saw things realistically. \"We must be
\nrealistic. We can't stop such practices by just issuing a bylaw.
\nIt will be a lengthy task through educating the public and we are
\nready for that.\"<\/p>\n
PKS' campaign against corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN)
\nhad boosted its popularity in the April 5 legislative election.
\nIts seats on the City Council jumped significantly from only four
\nin the 1999-2004 term to 18 in the 2004-2008 term -- the largest
\nnumber of seats of any party in the 75-member council.<\/p>\n
Gunawan emphasized that his party's priority in the city was
\nto push the city administration to double its budget for poverty
\nelimination programs since poverty was the most serious social
\nproblem.<\/p>\n
\"We believe that poverty is the source of all social problems.
\nTherefore, we must give a larger allocation for the poverty
\nalleviation program in the 2005 budget,\" he said, adding that his
\nparty was ready to continue its anticorruption campaign to ensure
\nthat all budgets reach the intended target.<\/p>\n
Gunawan also promised that the 18 PKS councillors were ready
\nto cooperate with the administration to fight against KKN by
\nempowering the City Audit Agency (Bawasda).<\/p>\n
But, he said PKS would also be ready to become an opposition
\nforce if the administration did not have the political will to
\nfight KKN. \"I believe with 18 councillors, PKS will be in a
\nstrong position to promote the anticorruption campaign.\"<\/p>\n
Gunawan realizes that his faction must collaborate with other
\nfactions in the council to carry out the anticorruption campaign.
\nBut choosing the right allies will be difficult.<\/p>\n
He pointed to the PKS' failure to win the council speakership
\nas a good lesson. \"For the time being, we are sure that 30
\ncouncillors are on our side. We must intensify lobbying with
\nother councillors to reach our goal.\"<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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