'Go after illegal liquor traders'

In a bid to curb liquor consumption, particularly among minors, the city administration issued a circular banning supermarkets from selling drinks with over 5 percent alcohol. The Jakarta Post interviewed some residents about the policy.

Anton, 35, is a public relations manager of an apartment building in Central Jakarta. He lives in Depok, West Java.

Frankly, I do drink liquor, but I never get drunk because I usually drink in moderation.

I agree that there should be a limitation of liquor outlets. As you know there are many young people who are alcoholics.

Although the city administration has issued a regulation limiting liquor sales, we find liquor outlets in many places, legal or otherwise.

The problem is that those outlets do not screen people, even those under 17 years old can easily buy liquor.

James Sinaga, 40, is an employee of a recruitment agency for expatriate workers. He lives in Cilandak subdistrict, South Jakarta.

I do not know if supermarkets have been banned from selling liquor, since I have not been bought any in the past three months.

But, I think, it is better for the police and other law enforcement institutions to concentrate on illegal liquor sellers in small shops, which readily sell to anybody, including children.

The police must punish the shop owners found to have sold liquor to minors.

I think the government must allow supermarkets to sell liquor but with stronger monitoring, meaning that only adults are allowed to buy the products.

The government must revoke their licenses if the supermarket violates the regulations.

-- The Jakarta Post