Night spots' guidelines for next month issued

JAKARTA (JP): Entertainment spots in the city would be allowed to open during the upcoming festive seasons, including Ramadhan fasting month, but under limited operating hours in the evening.

The places such as nightclubs, discotheques, massage parlors, steam baths, bars, pubs, coffee shops and karaoke halls are only obliged to stop operation one day before and the first day of Ramadhan, on Christmas Day and one day prior to, during and after Idul Fitri.

On the remaining days, the operators of the night spots are free to run their operation under limited business hours every day, including Saturday nights and public holidays.

The decision stated in a circular signed by Governor Sutiyoso and issued on Friday is obviously different from last year's guidelines when the city banned all entertainment spots in the capital from operating for the first two weeks of Ramadhan.

Governor Sutiyoso on Friday said the new rules were made "on the basis of the people's aspirations".

According to the decree, nightclubs and discotheques would be allowed to operate from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., steam baths and massage parlors and the like from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., live music or live traditional art performance halls, bars, pubs, coffee shops and clubs for four hours beginning from 8 p.m.

The guideline also applies to all star-hotels that also have similar businesses on their property here.

"I ask for the understanding of all operators of the entertainment spots and food establishments to follow the circular accordingly," Governor Sutiyoso told media.

Those who are found guilty of violating the guidelines would be charged under the existing laws, the circular said.

Meanwhile, the city administration would as usual temporarily prohibit sex transactions at the Kramat Tunggak red light district in North Jakarta, during the Ramadhan month which is estimated to start on Sunday.

The closure of the place which is home to 1,600 prostitutes is to "go with the Ramadhan atmosphere in the capital", a senior official at the city's social welfare agency, Waluyo, said.

"Our staff will keep their watchful eyes on the place to guarantee that the inhabitants do not practice prostitution," he said.

According to Waluyo, the prostitutes are allowed to stay on at the complex during the Muslim holy month.

The country's oldest prostitution complex located near the busy Tanjung Priok port would be reopened again on Jan. 25. (ylt/ind)