Jakartans support 'get tough' policy on alcohol sales

JAKARTA (JP): The central government's new restrictions on the production, import and sale of alcohol received strong support yesterday from city councilors, a major hotel and a consumer affairs group.

But Jakarta authorities must enforce the regulations, which were issued on Wednesday, if the initiative is to be successful, they said.

Under the new regulations, the sale of alcohol will only be allowed between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. and between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. The strict selling hours may be extended until midnight on "certain religious holidays".

The Jakarta Post contacted city councilors, the Hotel Le Meridien and an executive of the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) yesterday for their comments on the nationwide liquor restrictions.

Agus Pambagio of YLKI welcomed the decrees but remained skeptical about the implementation of the tough restrictions.

"There have been too many cases here where a good regulation fails to work properly because of a lack of punishment," he said.

Agus suggested that the city administration issue detailed guidelines about the decree so that enforcement officers were equipped to catch violators.

"It really needs the administration's political will and consistency," he said.

The restrictions on alcohol, as detailed in three decrees dated Oct. 15, were released by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, according to Antara.

The decrees regulate the supervision and control of liquor, the procedures of issuing alcohol trading licenses and the assignment of alcohol distributors respectively, it said.

Under the new regulations, the ministry has the right to control the production, import and circulation of liquor. It also has the right to determine the categorization of alcohol.

The decree also regulates the sale of liquor to customers, stating that alcohol may only be sold at premises where it can be consumed.

Alcohol will be divided into three categories: A (containing an alcohol content of between 1 percent and 5 percent), B (5 percent and 20 percent) and C (20 percent and 55 percent).

The ministry permits only duty free shops to retail alcohol in the B and C categories. The sale of these two categories is only allowed in three-, four- and five-star hotels and certain licensed bars, pubs and restaurants.

Councilor H.M.U. Fatommy Asaari from the dominant political organization Golkar said the regulation was in line with the wishes of most Jakartans.

"It's high time the city took stern action," he said. "Even though we know that the number of people looking to benefit from this business is larger than the number of officers who intend to control it."

Councilor Lukman Mokoginta from the Indonesian Democratic Party faction said liquor had been sold "freely" here for a long time.

"It's about time we have rules that can restrict alcohol consumption and distribution.

"But the most important thing is to maintain strict control and supervision on the implementation of the rules. It will be worthless if the rules are not backed up with strict sanctions. People will still find ways to violate it," he said.

Lukman said it was important that everyone, including expatriate community, was informed about the new rules.

"If people understand the rules, it will be easier to implement."

Aprilisa Madewa, the public relations manager of Hotel Le Meridien welcomed the decrees but asked the government to refrain from imposing it within the hotels' compound.

"People visiting hotels are mostly businesspeople, well- educated people, who do not plan to get drunk," she said.

"So, I hope the government intends to review it."

Violators of the new regulations will be penalized, with their licenses to be revoked and "other forms of punishment" to be imposed in line with the decrees.

Last year, hundreds of Moslem groups staged numerous demonstrations demanding stricter rules on alcohol. (07/05/bsr)