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