Presidential decree on liquor<\/p>\n
From Pelita<\/p>\n
On Feb. 12, the new presidential liquor ruling, No. 3\/1997,
\nwas made public in the media. The ruling stipulated that the sale
\nof categories B and C spirits containing more than 5 percent
\nalcohol, would be allowed in hotels, bars and certain places to
\nbe appointed by the respective regional administrations.<\/p>\n
According to the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI), "certain
\nplaces" meant duty free shops which are frequented by
\nexpatriates.<\/p>\n
The presidential decree was regarded by Jakarta's Deputy
\nGovernor Idroes and Al-Irsyad General Chairman Geys Ammar, as
\nsimilar in nature to the controversial regional ruling, which
\nstirred up debate recently (Republika, Feb. 13).<\/p>\n
The entire Moslem community objected to the regional ruling at
\nthe time. The ruling was thought to intensify the distribution of
\nliquor and increase regional income. The Regional Income Office
\nwas made responsible for supervising the correct implementation
\nof the regulation. Indeed, the office functions as a fund
\ncollector for the provinces.<\/p>\n
The presidential ruling differs from the regional one. It
\nstipulates that customs duty and liquor tax would come under
\nsupervision of the Finance Ministry, whereas the regional office
\nwas permitted to impose levies on liquor.<\/p>\n
The sale of liquor in hotels, bars, restaurants and certain
\nother places, is not going to reduce the distribution of liquor
\nsince consumers have easy access to places where they can freely
\nhold drinking parties, or even drink in the privacy of their own
\nhomes. Moslem people are striving to establish a country free of
\nalcohol like Brunei Darussalam, Saudi Arabia, and other Moslem
\ncountries. The danger of liquor is evident.<\/p>\n
The problem of alcohol was once raised on a national level by
\nMUI. At a seminar organized five years ago by MUI, Dr. Kartono
\nMohammad, then chairman of the Indonesian Medical Association
\n(IDI), said it was time to introduce medicine not containing
\nalcohol. Alcohol in medicine could be replaced with other
\nchemicals that are permitted by Islam.<\/p>\n
We hope that this problem would be settled by all parties in
\nan effort to build a healthier society free from unhealthy food
\nand drinks that could undermine the mind and spirit.<\/p>\n
HA JAIS<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/presidential-decree-on-liquor-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }