'Nightspots should get a tax break'
In response to a city administration regulation to close entertainment centers during the upcoming Muslim fasting month, some people who rely on these businesses shared their concerns with The Jakarta Post.
Wowik, 30, is an employee of a multinational company in Central Jakarta. She resides in Mampang, South Jakarta:
I'm concerned about the people who rely on these entertainment centers. I think it is too bad that this regulation should be strictly enforced during the fasting month.
I wonder who wielded this great influence to make the city administration enforce the regulation. I guess it only materialized to meet the demands of a certain group.
Besides, we cannot deny the fact that there are many people who need to relax by visiting these entertainment spots in the city, right?
I often go to the cafes or pubs just for recreation and fun. But, of course, it all depends on my mood, my finances and free time.
I don't feel bothered by the closures. I just cannot imagine how the workers will survive with a whole month off.
Sutando, 36, is a product manager of a private company on Jl. Raden Saleh, Central Jakarta. He lives in Cinere, South Jakarta with his two children and wife:
On the one hand, I respect the enactment of the city administrative regulation for closing entertainment centers during the fasting month.
But on the other, the government should have thought about the workers who make a living from these jobs.
My opinion is that the city administration needs to give a tax break to the entertainment business during the fasting month. Instead, those taxes could go to their workers.
This arrangement might be a good idea to keep everyone happy, including those in the city administration, the owners of the establishments and their employees.
But the government should be fair in this case. I mean that during the fasting month the government should be strict in enforcing the closure of nightspots and preventing these establishments from opening illegally with the help of certain individuals, such as security guards.
One thing the policymaker should think of is that not all entertainment centers are against religious principles.
I'm a Muslim but sometimes I go to entertainment spots for fun and for business. But the closure is okay by me.
Arif Setiawan, 32, has been a parking attendant at a hotel and discotheque in Menteng, Central Jakarta for four years. He lives in Kayumanis, East Jakarta, with a daughter and wife.
I have to comply with the rules requiring the closure in the fasting month. I'm just another person with a low income who cannot do anything but go along with the order. Otherwise, I would be considered disloyal to my employer.
One thing for sure is that my income will decline during the holy month as I won't get many tips from guests.
Most of my income comes from guests' tips because our salaries here are low.
I hope my wife will understand the situation during the fasting month because I cannot get another job. I have asked her to hold on to our savings from the previous months so that we can survive over the month I will be off.
Hopefully, the Idul Fitri allowance this year will cover my transportation and food expenses during the closure.
Edi Supriadi, 32, is a taxi driver who normally picks up passengers from nightspots in the Greater Jakarta area. He lives in Cilodong, Depok with his wife and two children:
I'm divided over the closure regulation during the fasting month.
On the one hand, as a Muslim, I agree with it because it respects religious rites.
But on the other, I disagree with it as it will reduce my flow of income. I'm sure that my income will drop by about 40 percent compared to normal working days.
Worse still, I have to pay about Rp 2 million a month on my loan for my taxi.
I'm hoping that at least a couple of days before the fasting month there will be a lot of people going shopping for the holidays. Well, it would help support my family.
Perhaps, I can count on my wife's earnings from the garment factory she works at and hopefully she will understand that.