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)