Govt defends provincial decree on alcohol
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)