'Liquor policy will fail'

'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