Billiard center owners in Bogor plead for leniency
Billiard center owners in Bogor plead for leniency
BOGOR (JP): Thirteen billiard center owners here requested on
Thursday that the administration allow them to operate from noon
until a few minutes before the breaking of the fast during the
Ramadhan fasting month.
"Our business is usually packed in the fasting month during
daylight hours because people like to ngabuburit (local term for
spending hours before the breaking of the fast).
If we close the business, it will be a great loss," said the
spokesman for the owners Ridwan Nasution.
"Therefore, we ask for permission to allow us to run our
businesses from 12 p.m. until about 6 p.m.," he said during a
meeting with Bogor's head of social and political affairs office
E. Rukanda.
The local authorities recently issued a closure order to all
entertainment spots during the fasting month to avoid the chaos
which recently occurred when mobs attacked nightspots.
Calls to put an end to the alleged prostitution, gambling and
drugs in entertainment centers in the Puncak area triggered in
recent months frenzied attacks and arson at dozens of similar
sites.
The business owners claimed that billiard centers were not
improper or immoral places.
"Our business is a sports game. It's not a gambling den or
prostitution site," said Ridwan.
He said the business managers had promised to monitor their
premises to prevent the possibility of any illegal activity
taking place in them.
"We will keep an eye on gambling activities within the
billiard centers, but we cannot be responsible if they happen
outside the premises."
Ridwan said waitresses would wear appropriate clothing and
alcohol would be banned.
Another billiard center owner, Yanta Wimar, added: "We'll even
turn on Islamic religious songs to create a calm atmosphere."
Rukanda, however, said that his office could not make an
instantaneous decision on the matter.
"I have to consult the matter with the mayor and the head of
the local police and military offices," he said.
The billiard center owners urged Rukanda to allow them to keep
their businesses open during the negotiation period.
"We will take the risk," they said.
Rukanda gave his approval for the action, but added "if
something happens, you'll pay for the risk".
At least 50 entertainment spots, including discotheques, pubs
and alleged brothels, were either burned or destroyed earlier
this month by angry rioters in Parung, Bogor.
Thirteen hotels and entertainment centers in Cipayung and
Cisarua subdistricts in the Bogor regency, were also destroyed
earlier in November, following reports they were used as brothels
and drug distribution centers. (24/edt)