Entertainment centers 'feed over 1 million people'
Entertainment centers 'feed over 1 million people'
Ahmad Junaidi and Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The city administration urged Muslim organizations on Monday
to support its decision to allow entertainment venues to operate
undisturbed during the fasting month of Ramadhan, while police
also promised to protect the businesses.
Acting Governor Abdul Kahfi said support is needed from the
organizations as the businesses feed over one million people.
He revealed that an estimated 450,000 people currently work
within the tourism sector in Jakarta. Along with their family
members, the number of people who depend on the entertainment
centers could reach more than one million people.
"We should be wise regarding this matter. The support is
needed to avoid unemployment," Kahfi, who is also deputy governor
for administrative affairs, said in a meeting with several
religious groups and the Indonesian Entertainment Venue
Businessmen's Association at Kartika Chandra Hotel, South
Jakarta.
He said the city's income from the tourism sector reached Rp
336.4 billion (US$33.64 million) last year, while foreign and
domestic tourists spent $760 million and $236 million
respectively in the city last year.
"The huge amount of income is the result of hard work by our
brothers and sisters who work in the sector," Kahfi said.
Kahfi announced on Friday that the venues would be allowed to
open after the Tarawih evening prayer (about 8:30 p.m.) until the
Sahur predawn meal (about 3 a.m.). The venues should, however,
remain closed on the first day of Ramadhan, starting in mid-
November, on the 17th day of the month in observance of the
revelation of the Koran, and on the Idul Fitri holidays.
Restaurants and entertainment venues in hotels may remain open
as usual during the season.
Some Muslim organizations, including the Islam Defenders Front
(FPI) and the Islamic Missionary Council (DDI), have protested
the administration's decision to allow the venues to operate
during Ramadhan.
"If the administration refuses to close the centers, we will
close them forcibly," FPI deputy chairman Salim Nasir said.
Some hard-line groups attacked several venues, including
cafes, in the city during Ramadhan last year.
Meanwhile, National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Saleh Saaf
said the police would deploy personnel to safeguard entertainment
venues, which are frequently visited by foreigners during the
fasting season.
"We've ordered police officers to remain vigilant to protect
entertainment venues from (possible) disturbances," Saleh said.
Saleh said the protection was needed to make foreign tourists
feel safe.