Jakartans support 'get tough' policy on alcohol sales
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)