Governor to be firm against unlawful acts

Governor to be firm against unlawful acts

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso said on Thursday police would
prevent any groups from taking action against nightspots which
remained open during Ramadhan.

"The Jakarta Police chief has guaranteed that groups who defy
the regulation and raid the nightspots will face stern measures,"
Sutiyoso said.

"The groups that raid these places should ask themselves
whether their actions are supported by the general public. I
guess nobody is in favor of (these raids)."

Sutiyoso was responding to a statement by the Islamic
Defenders Front (FPI) that it might raid entertainment centers
across the capital during the fasting month, saying these places
were rife with drug dealing.

The governor stated that no one but security personnel could
take measures against nightspots which violated the law.

"What they are doing is against the law and I think we should
not tolerate this anymore," he said.

A 1999 city bylaw stipulates that during the fasting month of
Ramadhan amusement centers can open only after the night prayer
(tarawih) at about 7 p.m., and must close before the predawn meal
(sahur), which begins at about 3 a.m.

Sutiyoso said this year the city administration would follow
the bylaw. A mass rally staged by FPI during the last Ramadhan
prevented the city bylaw from being implemented.

The governor claimed numerous Islamic leaders supported his
decision to allow nightspots to remain open during the fasting
month.

"Before I made the decision, I consulted many Islamic leaders
and the City Council. It is the city administration's duty to
accommodate the interests of all people," he said. (dja)