Govt defends provincial decree on alcohol

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. yesterday defended the controversial provincial decree on alcoholic beverages, saying it strives to control distribution and use of liquor rather than promote it.

He pointed out that the decree is not meant to condone alcohol consumption as some Moslem groups have charged, but to help reduce the number of alcohol drinkers.

However, he conceded that there is a possibility that the decree could be revoked.

Yogie was speaking to the press after receiving a delegation of the Indonesian Council of Ulemas who called on him to reevaluate the decree.

Yogie said the decree would create a situation in which only high income earners would be able to buy liquor.

"The decree is meant to limit the use and control the distribution of alcoholic beverages in Indonesian provinces and cities," Yogie said.

"The decree was created to control beverage distribution by setting a quota," he said.

The sale of alcohol in Indonesia, the world's largest Islamic country, is legal. However, it is the understanding of many Moslems that it is religiously prohibited (haram) and that regulating its distribution is the same as condoning its consumption.

Yogie said there were 15 provinces which have passed the decree and asked for the ministry's endorsement. They are North Sumatra, Jambi, Bengkulu, Jakarta, Bali, West and East Nusa Tenggara, East Timor, West and East Kalimantan, all provinces in Sulawesi, Maluku and Irian Jaya.

"The Ministry of Home Affairs is still evaluating the decree. Nothing is final yet," Yogie said.

Moslem groups have been protesting the decree, which they said amounted to condoning alcohol. Among the latest protesters were members of the Communication Forum of the Jakarta Moslem Students.

Around 30 placard-waving students went to the Ministry of Home Affairs, condemning the decree and demanding that it be revoked.

One of the students, Noval, said they called on the government to instead introduce laws to limit the production and distribution of alcoholic beverages.

"Alcoholic drinks ruin the future of the young generation," said one poster carried by students. "We don't want this country to be handed over to a drunken generation," read another poster.

The controversy over the liquor decree began after the Jakarta Legislative Council passed a bill on alcoholic beverages which rules the imposition of new fees on alcohol distribution.

Moslem leaders viewed the decree as an effort to condone alcohol consumption in the city.

The Moslem-based United Development Party (PPP) faction at the Jakarta council said it had no choice but to approve the bill because other factions had already approved it.

Deputy Governor of Economic and Administration Affairs Tb. M. Rais said on Tuesday that the decree was meant to replace provincial decree No. 9/1971 on alcoholic beverage taxes which only imposes the tax on retailers of liquor.

The new decree imposes a distribution fee and stipulates a liquor distribution quota in the city, he said.

Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher had earlier asked provincial governments and legislators to be heedful of the aspirations of Moslem communities regarding the decree on alcoholic beverages. (imn)