Nightspots will be closed during Idul Adha

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)