City issues decree on New Year

JAKARTA: City Governor Sutiyoso issued a gubernatorial decree on maximum ticket prices for New Year's Eve celebrations, which range from Rp 300,000 to Rp 5 million (US$555).

According to the decree, an entrance ticket, including the cost of meals and taxes, for events in four and five-star hotels should carry a maximum price tag of Rp 5 million, while in two and three-star hotels the maximum price should be Rp 3 million.

Non star-rated hotel, nightclub and discotheque entrance charges are pegged to a maximum of Rp 1.5 million while restaurants and cinemas showing films can charge a maximum of Rp 300,000.

The decree allows the celebrations to be conducted between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m., and bans erotic and pornographic performances.

Jakarta has some 2,887 licensed entertainment centers, 251 cinemas, 200 billiard halls, 1,228 bars and restaurants, 144 discotheques, 193 hotels, 12 nightclubs, 35 cafes, 11 sauna baths, 263 singing halls, 221 massage parlors, 20 barbershops (which provide massage services), and 20 amusement centers.--JP