Closure of entertainment centers lamented
Emmy Fitri and Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Some entertainment places, in particular those located in luxury hotels, will remain open as usual during the fasting month. Others, like cafes, restaurants, bars and karaoke lounges, will have to limited their opening hours. But discotheques, nightclubs, gaming centers, massage parlors and some other entertainment centers will have to close down completely for the entire month.
The new ruling will affect all those who work in the entertainment business and also their customers.
Zulkifli Hatta, 24, a waiter at Kabuki discotheque in Lokasari, West Jakarta: It will depend on our managers whether we open or not. We will follow their orders when they issue them. Our problem is that we rely heavily on tips given by our customers. Those tips sometimes exceed our monthly salary. I receive Rp 600,000 per month, but if the discotheque is crowded, I can get around Rp 200,000 just in one night.
Personally, as a Muslim, I understand if people stay away from entertainment and night spots during the fasting month but Jakarta is not only inhibited by Muslims. Many non-Muslims will still want to go out, relax and enjoy themselves.
As for demonstrations or attacks by Muslim hardline groups? They did visit once, but they soon dispersed after talking with the bosses of the discotheque. We are also humans who still need money. Frankly speaking, I am not really worried about the plan because in previous years many discotheques and other entertainment spots in certain locations remained open during the month of fasting, thanks to good relations with security personnel and officials from the city administration.
Mulawarman, 38, an employee at Atlanta discotheque in Lokasari, West Jakarta: It's hard for me to imagine that we really have to stop working during Ramadhan. I have to feed my spouse and three children and my wife is a housewife. They still need to eat and to celebrate the Idul Fitri holidays properly.
During Ramadhan and Idul Fitri, food and clothing prices usually soar. Where am I supposed to earn the extra money to buy such stuff for my family. I think the city administration should issue a wiser regulation on the matter. Basically, it is usually a hard time for us, as workers at nightspots, because the closures mean a substantial reduction in our income.
Lisna (not her real name), 22, a cashier at Rasa Sayang massage parlor on Jl. Pangeran Jayakarta, Central Jakarta: I haven't heard any plan (to close temporarily) from our management but I have heard from some colleagues who are concerned and worried about the closure.
To some of us, it is disappointing because we will miss the tips from our customers as our salary is not that big. I don't know what to do if the bosses really follow the regulation (to close). I guess I would have to take a whole month off for a holiday. But, I cannot go home to my hometown in Brebes, Central Java because I don't have enough money for that.
Youngky Iskandar, owner of a automotive workshop on Jl. Cideng, Central Jakarta: What I will miss is being able to have a good time with my friends and colleagues at night. We just like to spend the night there (at the discotheques or entertainment spots) and do not necessarily commit sinful acts. I think it is not wise for the city administration to issue instructions to close entertainment businesses. Many people rely on their business for their livelihood. I can't imagine what they will do to cope. However, I can still go to places in hotels where discos and bars are not closed.
Azwar Hasan, 30, lecturer at the University of Indonesia: To fully close amusement and entertainment centers during Ramadhan would be a violation to the rights and interests of others. What about the rights of the business people who make their living from these places and the rights of their workers? The government should be able to come up with a solution that could accommodate the interests of all and not just a certain group.
The purpose of the fasting month for Muslims is to battle with human desires. If there's nothing to encounter, what would be the challenge?
As for the threat from some Muslim groups, the law and its apparatus must be able to protect all Indonesians with its various interests.
Iwan Novyanto, 27, employee: It would be better if there could be a special arrangement for opening hours, such as after the fasting prayers. If the place is closed for the entire month what about the staff of these places?
Mario Vikardo, 24, employee: Even fasting has its hours. We don't fast for the whole 24-hours during the entire month of Ramadhan. The administration's plan is ridiculous as it does not accommodate the rights of other people.