Modest celebrations urged in Aceh

Modest celebrations urged in Aceh

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: The police here appealed on Monday to all
sides, including foreigners, to celebrate New Year's in Aceh
modestly.

"We ask people and foreigners here on humanitarian missions
not to stage major events, particularly to welcome the new year
in the province," Aceh Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Djoko Turochman
said in Banda Aceh, the provincial capital city.

He said mass celebrations could disturb people living in the
vicinity and those who organized them were subject to criminal
charges.

"Our state law stipulates that to stage any event one must
obtain permission. So it's clear that if any celebration disturbs
the peace, it is against the law," Djoko said.

He said there would be no Christmas and New Year's
celebrations in Aceh -- a devout Muslim province -- as in other
years.

Local legislative councillors supported the police's
suggestion. "I call on all sides to commemorate the first
anniversary of the Dec. 26 tsunami by not holding events that
lead to revelry and mubadzir (uselessness) because it is against
sharia," Aceh legislative council member Jamaluddin T. Muku said.
--Antara