City bans new Year's Eve parties this year

JAKARTA (JP): The city is to ban hotels, discotheques, cafes and nightclubs from holding New Year's Eve parties this year because the date marks the start of the annual Islamic Ramadhan fasting month, an official said yesterday.

Toha Reno, head of the city's Public Order and Entertainment subdivision office, said the decision, based on the gubernatorial decree No. 1784/1993, was made recently as a result of a meeting between the municipality, City Council and related parties.

"I hope the owners of hotels and entertainment spots in the capital will understand this decision," Toha told The Jakarta Post.

Ramadhan is estimated to start on Dec. 30 or Dec. 31 this year.

According to Toha, the decision also includes a "three-day off" beginning Dec. 30 at entertainment spots, such as discotheques and nightclubs, as they often hold events which attract a large number of visitors.

"Hotels and restaurants can operate as usual but they are forbidden to hold any parties during those three days," he added.

"After the three 'days off', they can start their normal activities again but only in 'low profile' because of the fasting month," Toha said.

Firecrackers and outdoor stage performances, traditional ways of welcoming in the new year, are also forbidden.

Entertainment spots will be closed again on the last day of the fasting month when Moslems celebrate Malam Takbir for the next day's Idul Fitri.

The city is set to lose Rp 1.4 billion (US$424,240) in entertainment taxes due to the ban on New Year festivities.

But despite the ban, some hotel representatives contacted by the Post yesterday said they had anticipated the move.

Heru Prajitna of the Radisson Jakarta, said the hotel respected the municipality's decision.

"We can't just hold an event without considering the factors surrounding it, like this year's Old & New event which coincides with the first day of the fasting month, and we have to respect that," said the hotel's assistant director of sales.

Heru said his hotel would not be affected by the ban because they had not yet prepared any special events.

Melly Rahayu, IBIS Slipi's secretary of sales department, said the hotel understood the decision but hoped the city would also consider those who regarded New Year's Eve as a special event.

She said the hotel would not cancel its New Year program because it was "only dancing, music and karaoke".

"The ban, if I'm not mistaken, only prohibits erotic dances, so we'll go on with our plans as long as it doesn't defy the city's policy," said Melly.

Romy Herlambang, Hotel Shangri-La's public relations manager, said the hotel had anticipated the prohibition and therefore had nothing to lose.

Harti Hadisoemo, Hotel Ciputra's public relations manager, said the hotel would not hold a special New Year's Eve party.

"We released brochures in August on our hotel's agenda and there was no Old & New party mentioned," Harti said.

The hotel will only serve a special dinner to celebrate the occasion, she said.

Similar to the Shangri-La, Hotel Ciputra will also offer special Ramadhan meal packages for customers and the public who intend to have their Sahur (predawn meal) and their breaking of the fast meal at the hotel. (07/04/jun)