FPI calls for closure of night spots in Ramadhan

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

With less than two weeks to Ramadhan, Islam Defenders Front (FPI) called on the city administration on Monday to close down night spots and entertainment centers during Ramadhan and Idul Fitri.

"We urge the administration to ban nightspots operating during the fasting month and one week after Idul Fitri," said the FPI Jakarta chapter chairman, Nurzaini Suanda.

"The city must also ban people from eating, drinking and smoking on the streets and public places during the day in Ramadhan," he said.

Around 20 protesters staged a rally in front of City Hall and City Council. They also demanded the city administration require the managements of night spots and entertainment centers to provide a salary plus bonus to their employees.

The Bylaw No. 10/2004 on tourism, which was passed on Aug. 11, stipulates that night clubs, discotheques, massage parlors and sauna centers, except those in star-rated hotels, must be closed a day before Ramadhan, the first day of Ramadhan, the Koran Revelation Day, which usually falls on the 17th day of Ramadhan, the last day of Ramadhan and during and after Idul Fitri.

The operation of other entertainment centers such as billiard halls, karaoke pubs and live music bars will be determined by a gubernatorial decree.

Governor Sutiyoso said FPI's demands were already stipulated in the bylaw and he warned the group members or other groups not to "sweep" entertainment centers that were violating the bylaw.

"Any sweeping (of night spots and entertainment centers) is violating the law itself. I will ask the police to take stern measures against such actions. It will only cause chaos in the city. I call on all parties not to commit such actions," he said.

FPI's leader Habib Rizieq Shihab was sentenced to seven months in prison last year for sending his members to raid and attack bars, restaurants and billiard centers two years ago. He was released last November.