'Liquor policy will fail'

The city administration recently banned the sale of drinks containing more than 5 percent alcohol at supermarkets and hypermarkets. The Jakarta Post asked people for their comments on the policy.

Ardi Kho, 45, is the executive director of an international school in South Jakarta. He lives with wife and children in Bintaro, South Jakarta.

I think banning liquor in the capital is difficult if not impossible. We have seen how the prohibitions on gambling and prostitution do not work.

The government says people cannot gamble but there are gambling dens everywhere. They also say that prostitution is prohibited but there are lots of prostitution centers. I believe ban on liquor will also fail.

Banning liquor in the capital is also unwise because there are people here who need it. For instance, many foreigners are accustomed to drinking liquor because that is what they do in their countries.

I propose that the government place restrictions on who can buy liquor. For instance, require people to show their identification card or passport to buy liquor.

Broto Susanto, 39, works at a multinational firm in Jakarta. He lives with his wife and children in Menteng, Central Jakarta.

I am Muslim and I do not drink liquor, but I have so many friends, locals and expatriates, who drink wine, vodka or just beer. I can understand why they drink liquor and they understand why I do not. But I do not understand why the Jakarta administration wants to ban these drinks.

As far as I can see, people who drink liquor never bother other people or commit crimes because they are drunk. They just drink for fun. Many of my friends even say that drinking wine is good for their health.

I think what the government should do is restrict who is allowed to buy liquor. Mature people who understand the dangers of liquor should be allowed to buy it.

--The Jakarta Post