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.