City govt assures safety of nightspots

City govt assures safety of nightspots

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration will guarantee the
safety of all nightspots in the capital during the fasting month
of Ramadhan as long as they do not violate the ruling on their
allowed hours of operation.

The deputy governor for administrative affairs, Abdul Kahfi,
told Jakartans, including nightspot operators, on Wednesday not
to worry about their safety because the city authorities were
determined to maintain public order.

"As long as the nightspot owners follow the regulation, which
requires them to open after the evening prayer and close before
the predawn meal, they should have nothing to worry about," Kahfi
said.

Ramadhan is expected to start on Nov. 27. During the month
Muslims perform the night prayer, called tarawih, at around 7
p.m. and eat the predawn meal, or sahur, at 3 a.m.

Governor Sutiyoso, citing the needs and interests of all
Jakarta residents, announced that all entertainment centers
across the capital would be allowed to stay open during Ramadhan
as long as they complied with all regulations.

Sutiyoso pleaded for the general public to understand that
many Jakartans earned a living from the entertainment spots, so
it would be a violation of their rights if the city
administration closed the nightspots down.

However, councillors from Muslim-based parties criticized
Sutiyoso's decision on Tuesday, saying this would create an
unfavorable atmosphere for Muslims performing their religious
duties.

The councillors said the numerous attacks on nightspots by the
Islamic Defenders Front were an expression of the public's
dissatisfaction with the city administration's controversial
policy.

Kahfi said the city administration was ready to deal with more
such attacks. (dja)