Nightspots will be closed during Idul Adha

JAKARTA (JP): Smarting from public outcry against nightspots ahead of Idul Fitri last year, the city authorities will order the closure of the places one day before and after the Idul Adha Islamic Day of Sacrifice, which falls on March 5.

Head of the City Tourism Agency Parlindungan Hutabarat said on Monday a gubernatorial decree is expected to be issued later this week.

He called on the operators to remain calm, saying the city authorities would maintain their safety as well as law and public order.

Muslims perform the Idul Adha prayers on open fields and mosque yards and slaughter goats and cattle on the holiday. They distribute the meat to the needy.

Parlindungan admitted there were pressures from certain Muslim groups to close the nightspots from March 1 to March 8 to respect the holiday.

"But with regard to the needs and interests of all Jakartans, I plead for the general public to understand that many residents earn a living from the entertainment spots, so it will violate their rights if the city administration bans the nightspots for good," he said.

The latest Indonesian Association of Entertainment Center Owners (Aspehindo) data revealed there are about 220 entertainment centers across the city, employing at least 150,000 workers.

Contacted separately, Aspehindo secretary-general Adrian Maelite said all nightspot operators would comply with any regulations issued by the government in connection with the forthcoming Islamic holiday.

"We will be closed on Mar. 4 and Mar. 5, pending a further announcement from the city administration office," said Adrian.

He added nightspot operators voluntarily suspended their business a day before and during Idul Adha last year.

Aspehindo has prepared about 3,000 security guards in anticipation of attacks on nightspots and would cooperate with the City Police and City Public Order office, according to Adrian.

Criticism

Meanwhile, some city councillors criticized the city administration's plan, saying this would not solve the root of the problem -- the eradication of immoral activities believed to take place in several nightspots.

"The city administration must define the selection of these entertainment centers and step up measures to enforce law on any violation of the regulation," Tjuk Sudono of the National Mandate faction (PAN) said.

Another councillor, Mukhayar R.M. of the Justice faction (PK) urged a stricter policy on defiant nightspots, including permanent closure.

Nightspots such as discotheques, massage parlors, bars and other such places are often suspected of hosting drug trafficking and immoral activities.

Mukhayar reminded the administration that a wave of attacks on nightspots by Islamic groups ahead of Idul Fitri were an expression of the public's disappointment with the city administration's controversial policy.

"I personally oppose any methods which lead to anarchy, but the city administration must accommodate public aspiration to help Muslims perform their religious duty solemnly," he said.

Last year, due to public pressure, the city administration abandoned the 1999 City Bylaw and decided to close all discotheques, night clubs, billiard centers and sauna parlors until seven days after the post-fasting Idul Fitri celebration, which marks the end of Ramadhan.

Massage parlors operated by blind people were permitted to remain open, but those caught organizing prostitution were closed.

Nightclubs, discotheques and pubs located inside hotels were allowed to operate normally, as they were considered as hotel facilities. (07)