Deputy Governor wants errant nightspots closed

JAKARTA (JP): A deputy governor has asked the City Public Order Office to be tougher on nightspots violating regulations during Ramadhan and Idul Fitri.

Deputy Governor of administrative affairs Idroes said Thursday warnings were not severe enough for errant nightspots.

"There is no use in giving them only warnings. Therefore, closing them would be the appropriate step because they already know what to do and what not to do during the holy month of Ramadhan. The administration applies the ruling every fasting month," he said.

Normally, nightclubs and discotheques open from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m., while sauna parlors are open from 9 a.m. to midnight, massage parlors from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and pinball centers from 10 a.m. to midnight.

Jakarta Governor Surjadi Soedirdja has decreed operating hours for nightspots during Ramadhan and Idul Fitri in an effort to respect the holy fasting month.

Nightclubs, discotheques, karaoke bars and singing halls can open from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m during Ramadhan.

Fitness centers, saunas and massage parlors can open from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., while live music shows, cultural events, bars, pubs and coffee shops can open from 8 p.m to midnight.

This also applies on Saturdays and national holidays.

Pinball establishments can open from 10 a.m. until midnight.

Shows at major hotels are exempt but hotel discos are not.

Nightspots cannot open the day before, during or the day after Idul Fitri.

The Jayakarta daily reported Thursday some city discotheques had violated operating hours.

Among the discotheques mentioned were Zodiak, Sydney 2000, Raja Mas, Haze, Atlanta, all in West Jakarta and Scorpio discotheque, Central Jakarta. The daily said the nightspots opened until 5:30 a.m.

But public order offices entertainment department head Toha Reno said yesterday his office had not found one errant nightspot.

"We will temporarily close any nightspots found violating the instruction, or we may revoke their operational permits for good," Toha said.

He said he welcomed information on errant nightspots.

Public order officers should join the city police or the city military command in supervising nightspots, Idroes said.

Mayoralties should also be involved in controlling nightspots, he said.

The city has 317 bars, 97 karaoke bars, 139 discotheques, and 10 nightclubs.

Last year, the public order office warned 56 bars, 69 discotheques and three nightclubs and temporarily closed 80 bars, 46 discotheques, six karaoke bars and 16 nightclubs. (ste)