Moslem groups attack planned liquor decree

Moslem groups attack planned liquor decree

JAKARTA (JP): Moslem leaders renewed their campaign against
the government's liquor policy yesterday following Tuesday's
announcement by the Ministry of Home Affairs that it planned to
introduce a decree on alcoholic beverage sales.

Preacher and psychiatrist Dadang Hawari said the drafting of
the decree, which would restrict sales to authorized places only,
had not taken into consideration the Moslem community's
aspirations.

Ahmad Sumargono, whose organization the Indonesian Committee
for World Moslem Solidarity has organized protests against liquor
sales in the past, also criticized the decree. Joining the chorus
was a student activist, Andreas Purnawan.

"Medically speaking, drinking alcohol triggers violent
behavior among people. Supported by Islamic teaching that
prohibits alcohol, the government should have just banned it,"
Dadang said.

He claimed that the strength of business considerations had
eclipsed the opinions of the medical and religious experts.

Sumargono said regulations do not matter much. "As long as
there are opportunities, consumers will still try to get it," he
said.

He blamed government reluctance to ban alcohol on the fact
that most regional and local administrations regard sales of
liquor as a lucrative source of revenue.

Dadang expressed disappointment over the planned decree. "I
could only sigh when I read about it. The government would have
to be ready and face the consequences if it decides to proceed
with this plan," he warned.

"Even drinks containing 'only' 5 percent alcohol, if taken in
sufficiently large amounts, also cause trouble." Dadang said
adding that for Moslems even a drop is haram (religiously
prohibited).

Both Dadang and Sumargono argued that alcohol had contributed
to the rising crime rate in Indonesia, the world's most populous
Moslem nation. They reiterated an earlier suggestion that the
government ban alcohol and then establish provisions allowing
alcohol under certain conditions.

"The government should allow only foreigners to buy alcohol.
It should also restrict sales to exclusive stores that could
neither be afforded nor reached by most Indonesians," Sumargono
suggested.

Last year, the Jakarta administration postponed its plan to
issue alcohol regulations due to strong objections from Moslem
ulemas and students.

Andreas, who joined the street protests against the regulation
last October, said he doubted the new decree would be free from
loopholes.

"There will always be loopholes (for abuse). This is why
regulations such as this one are never enough to block liquor
sales," the general secretary of the University of Indonesia's
student senate said.

Andreas said students are ready to help contribute ideas to
the government as to how to curb alcohol distribution.

The decree on alcoholic beverage sales is meant as a directive
for the Presidential Decree on the Control of Alcohol issued last
month. No date has been set for its implementation.

A ministry spokesman said Tuesday that the decree would 'clear
out alcoholic beverages from the shelves at roadside foodstalls'.

The presidential decree, consisting of six chapters and 10
articles, regulates production, distribution, sales, quality
standards and tax on alcoholic beverages.

It defines alcoholic beverages as those which contain ethanol
and are produced through the fermentation or distillation of
carbohydrate substances.

The alcohol level of drinks is divided into three categories;
A includes drinks with a content of up to 5 percent of ethanol, B
from 5 percent to 20 percent and C from 20 percent to 55 percent.

The selling of category B and C drinks is to be limited to
licensed premises like hotels, bars, restaurants and other
outlets appointed by the local regent, mayor or governor. All
should be far from places of worship, schools and hospitals.
However, category A drinks like beer would still be available in
supermarkets. (35)