FPI calls for closure of night spots in Ramadhan
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.