Civil Organisations Banned from Conducting Sweeping Raids During Ramadan in Jakarta

The Jakarta Provincial Government (Pemprov DKI) has once again affirmed its prohibition on civil organisations (ormas) conducting forcible sweeping raids on restaurants during the holy month of Ramadan.

The operating rules for businesses during Ramadan are considered established standard procedure that business operators already understand.

Jakarta Deputy Governor Rano Karno urged all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from taking unilateral action, noting that restaurant owners generally have the awareness to respect those who are fasting by putting up curtains.

“Actually, the ban on ormas [conducting sweeps] has been a standing directive year after year. It’s really just a directive. Because restaurants and food stalls already know the drill. If they’re open, they’ll cover up — they use curtains. That’s already common practice, really,” said Rano Karno to reporters in Kapuk sub-district, Cengkareng, West Jakarta, on Wednesday (18 February).

“We as the government issue reminders. Even restaurants, for instance, must have set opening hours. That’s already standard operating procedure, year after year. It’s just that sometimes there are those who are mischievous. ‘Oh, maybe no one’s reminded them, so let’s just do it,’” he added.

Rano explained that the government would not tire of reminding people about the importance of tolerance, but that enforcement remains in the hands of the authorised authorities such as the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP), not civilians.

“Later, it’s Satpol PP who will step in. It’s better not to [take matters into your own hands]. We already know how things work. I’ve also told Satpol PP that we can enforce order, but give people some room,” said Rano.

Regarding the management of street vendors and illegal parking attendants in the Tanah Abang area, which tend to proliferate during Ramadan, Rano confirmed that enforcement would take a persuasive approach first in order to safeguard the people’s economic activity.

“We’ll just appeal to them: ‘Come on, let’s work out how to organise this.’ If after one or two weeks it doesn’t work, then we’ll have no choice but to take action. That’s the consequence from the government,” he said.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung had previously also banned Sahur on the Road (SOTR) activities during this fasting month.

The ban was imposed over concerns that such activities could instead create security risks and brawls.

“Basically, anything that causes vulnerability or disturbances [such as SOTR], I won’t permit. But if it brings comfort, then I’ll allow it,” said Pramono after inaugurating the Kerapatan Gereja Protestan Minahasa (KGPM) church building in the Senen area of Central Jakarta on Saturday (14 February).

Pramono had also urged civil organisations not to conduct sweeping raids on restaurants during Ramadan.

The Jakarta Provincial Government is committed to ensuring that the atmosphere during Ramadan remains peaceful.

“As governor, I am responsible for that, and I do not permit any sweeping raids to take place,” he said.