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)