Due to the Muslim fasting month known as Ramadhan, Governor

Due to the Muslim fasting month known as Ramadhan, Governor
Sutiyoso has issued a decree banning or reducing the operation of
entertainment centers and nightspots during that time which
should begin on Nov. 7. Some local people share their opinion
with The Jakarta Post.

Adit, not his real name, an activist with a non-governmental
organization in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta. He resides in East
Jakarta with his wife:

I disagree with the city administration's regulation to close
down or reduce the operating hours of the nightspots because of
the upcoming fasting month.

I'm sure that the regulation is issued due to a certain
group's pressures complaining about the prostitution or other
negative labels for the nightspots.

The government has so far failed to take stern actions to
regulate (delinquent) entertainment spots. As a result, there are
certain religious groups who wrongly generalize all nightspots as
a source of sins that must be eradicated.

Not all bars, pubs, massage parlors or discotheques can be
equated with prostitution or other irregularities. It depends on
the deal between the customer and the service provider.

I go to massage parlors in the city, for instance, but
strictly for my health. That's what I pay for. So, it depends on
one's own intention when going to such places.

However, we cannot deny the fact that many people are
hypocrites. It seems that they have good conduct, while in fact
they are the source of irregularities.

Anyway, I will continue to visit massage parlors for my health
regardless of the controversy.

Oki, 27, an employee of an international organization in
Ragunan, South Jakarta. She resides on Jl. Buncit Raya, South
Jakarta:

I personally am upset that the city administration issues such
discriminatroy regulations to close down and reduce the operating
hours of some legal businesses during Ramadhan.

Many people go to those places to gather with friends and have
some fun after working hard all week. Where should they go for
fun if many entertainment centers will be closed down during the
fasting month? So, many city residents who need relaxation will
have little choice.

Well, we know that the regulation was issued in an attempt to
appease the Muslim's.

But I think fasting should a challenge. I'm of the opinion
that the nightspots should remain open, because people will be
forced to be more mature by resisting available worldly
temptations. Fasting is meant to be a struggle to free from
temptations, that's the value, but if the temptations are gone,
then there is no value in resisting them.

Anyway, I will continue to go to cafes or other entertainment
centers for the fun, not to sin. I like listening to live music
and I need that to help refresh my mind.

Eka Dewi, 20, a first year student of a private business
college in Jl. Jend. Sudirman, Central Jakarta. She resides in
Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta:

I agree with the regulation in terms of respecting religious
life provided that it does not ban all nightspots and
entertainment centers.

We are human and having fun for most city residents like us is
part of our basic needs. Well, at least there should be one day
in a week for the nightspots to normally open so as to help
employees survive.

I go to such places because I like the atmosphere.

I think many people my age, who regularly visit such spots
will feel upset if they can not have fun at such establishments
for a month.

The public should have understood that nightspots are not
necessarily equivalent to alcohol abuse, drug abuse or
prostitution. And, all visitors should not automatically be
labeled as sinners, especially non-Muslims.

But as a Muslim, I will learn to avoid going to the nightlife
for fun during the fasting month.

Audi, 20, a financial consultant with an insurance company.
She lives in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta:

I disagree with the regulation. We have the right to have fun
at the entertainment centers.

I think the regulators, perhaps, are mere hypocrites who want
to politicize religion to impose the rules, including the ban
during the fasting month.

In fact, I have noticed that many high-ranking officials are
regular visitors to the nightspots or entertainment centers.

It's better to define thoroughly the concept of entertainment
centers or nightspots before formulating the regulation. That
would be fair.

--Leo Wahyudi S