Cancel alcohol ruling

Cancel alcohol ruling

From Media Indonesia

The existence of a provincial decree on alcohol implies that the production and the sale of this commodity is legally protected, as well as its distribution. I am astonished why the alcohol ruling escaped the attention of the Indonesian Council of Ulemas. The council, which deals with such matters, could have weighed the ruling's positive and negative aspects.

In essence, the alcohol ruling regulates the varieties of alcohol which can be sold, the institutions that sell alcoholic beverages and alcohol distribution. The West Java legislature issued a written explanation stressing that the gist of the ruling lies more in localization than with legalization. However, the ruling has disappointed many circles, religious elders in particular, as well as youth and student organizations.

The fact is that alcohol has more negative effects than positive, and could lead to crime. Moreover, consuming alcohol is not allowed in Islam.

Alcohol consumption has indeed gone beyond its limits. Many young people are in the habit of drinking. Criminal acts committed by this age group have their roots in alcohol consumption.

We do not like to see our youngsters being destroyed by alcohol. Therefore, it would be best if the Jakarta administration would lend an ear to the objections being voiced by several public circles.

It would not be wrong if Jakarta, for the sake of all concerned, reviewed the present alcohol ruling. It would be even better if the ruling were canceled.

AHMAD NURUL IHWAN

Banten, West Java