Night spots to remain open during Ramadhan

JAKARTA (JP): It's business as usual for entertainment centers across the capital during the holy month of Ramadhan, but Governor Sutiyoso warned organizers of the places on Tuesday to comply with the existing regulations.

Sutiyoso said the policy was simply aimed at protecting the various needs of Jakartans.

"I hope that the fasting month will run well and solemnly. The city regulation clearly stipulates that during the month night spots can open only after the night prayer and close before the pre-dawn meal (sahur)," Sutiyoso told some 200 owners and operators of nightspots at the City Hall.

The night prayer, locally called tarawih, is conducted at around 7 p.m. and the pre-dawn meal, or sahur in local language, commonly starts at 3 a.m.

Muslims in Indonesia, like their counterparts in Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore, will begin fasting on Nov. 27, Wahyu Widiana, an official at the ministry of religious affairs, said.

Idul Fitri, which marks the end of the month-long fast, will be celebrated on Dec. 27.

Sutiyoso pleaded for the general public's understanding that many Jakartans earn a living from the entertainment spots, so it would be a violation of their rights if the city administration closed the places down.

"It is my obligation to protect everybody's rights and we have to admit that night spots contribute to the city's revenue," Sutiyoso said.

He further appealed to certain groups not to raid the night spots during Ramadhan because such action are unlawful.

"I call on the groups to uphold the law and realize that any attack on the places is against the law. I will ask the police to prevent these actions from taking place," he said.

The previous fasting month saw some 4,000 activists from the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) break into and occupy the City Hall to demand that the city authorities close all entertainment centers during the Muslim fasting month. They also demanded that Sutiyoso revoke bylaw No. 48/1999 that allows, although with reduced operational hours, nightspots to remain open during Ramadhan.

Following the move, Sutiyoso announced that all discotheques, night clubs, billiard centers and sauna parlors must close during the fasting month until seven days after the post-fasting Idul Fitri celebration.

"What the FPI did was not good and I asked them to use their common sense and realize that some people make a living from nightspots. I'm afraid another raid will incite retaliation from these people," he said.

Sutiyoso said he will consult ulemas and all related parties on the issue.

Meanwhile, Wahyu, the director of Islamic Legal Boards Development at the religious affairs ministry, said the meeting to formally decide the start of Ramadhan will be held on Nov. 26 and will be presided over by Minister of Religious Affairs Tolchah Hasan.

The minister, Wahyu added, will bring in all reports on rukyat (the new moon observation) from all over Indonesia and discuss them with experts on Nov. 26.

A similar procedure will occur on Dec. 25 to determine the fall of Idul Fitri.

"We currently have 321 religious courts around the country which, with the help of local people, are observing the moon's position and reporting it to the ministry," Wahyu said.

The upcoming Idul Fitri falls close to Christmas, giving the government its toughest job ever in providing food and public transportation to cater for the sharp increase in holidaymakers.

While no dispute is expected in deciding the date of Idul Fitri, Wahyu said the government is anticipating a conflicting date for the Islamic Day of Sacrifice or Idul Adha. He said the holiday is likely to fall either on March 5 or March 6 next year.

"The difference will probably be caused by the moon's higher position," Wahyu said. (23/edt/dja)