Foreign artist hirers 'must heed regulations'

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Governor Surjadi Soedirdja warned entertainment venues yesterday not to violate city regulations on hiring foreign artists for Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations.

He said the venues had already been informed of the regulations, but "sometimes violated them."

Foreign artists must get work permits and nightspots knew what kind of shows were banned, he said.

"We will not hesitate to punish the entertainment centers which are found violating the regulations," he said. He did not say how violators would be punished.

He appealed to organizers not to compete in hiring foreign artists. "Our artists are of good quality too. Besides, the market here is probably not promising enough," he said.

The public was mainly responsible for the mushrooming of foreign artists in the city, he said. "If the people don't like foreign artists, no one will hire them. However, most people like foreign artists for prestige only".

Last year, venues had artists mostly from Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, Taiwan and Singapore during New Year's Eve celebrations.

Seven foreign artists were found violating immigration rules. They were deported.

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Entertainment centers have their own reasons for hiring or not hiring foreign artists to attract visitors in New Year's Eve festivities.

CitraLand Hotel's public relations manager Harti Hadisoemo said the hotel did not hire foreign artists because the quality of local and foreign artists was pretty much the same.

"But, we have to arrange working permits for foreign artists."

People's interest in New Year's Eve was decreasing, she said. "Now, people tend to spend holidays out of town".

The coordinator of food and beverages activities at the Hilton Hotel, Lala Sutopo, said the hotel would not hire foreign artists for New Year's Eve celebrations because local artists were just as good.

"Besides, the rates are almost the same," Lala said, adding that competition between artists made local artists cheaper.

Bands from the Philippines and Latin America will perform at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. The hotel's public relations executive Renata Sofjan said the bands had the necessary permits.

"But we will also feature traditional performances and other local entertainments," Renata.

Head of the City Public Order's Entertainment department, Toha Reno, said so far 27 entertainment centers had requested New Year's eve operating permits.

In addition to the rules on permits for foreign artists the administration also sets the opening hours and cover charges for the performances.

The highest ticket price for New Year's Eve celebrations must be Rp 750,000 (US$319) for four and five-star hotels and the Jakarta Convention Center, Rp 250,000 for discotheques, Rp 200,000 for restaurants and Rp 75,000 for movie theaters.

New Year's Eve function organizer's must pay a Rp 50,000 fee when applying for the permit. (ste)