Presidential decree on liquor
Presidential decree on liquor
From Pelita
On Feb. 12, the new presidential liquor ruling, No. 3/1997,
was made public in the media. The ruling stipulated that the sale
of categories B and C spirits containing more than 5 percent
alcohol, would be allowed in hotels, bars and certain places to
be appointed by the respective regional administrations.
According to the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI), "certain
places" meant duty free shops which are frequented by
expatriates.
The presidential decree was regarded by Jakarta's Deputy
Governor Idroes and Al-Irsyad General Chairman Geys Ammar, as
similar in nature to the controversial regional ruling, which
stirred up debate recently (Republika, Feb. 13).
The entire Moslem community objected to the regional ruling at
the time. The ruling was thought to intensify the distribution of
liquor and increase regional income. The Regional Income Office
was made responsible for supervising the correct implementation
of the regulation. Indeed, the office functions as a fund
collector for the provinces.
The presidential ruling differs from the regional one. It
stipulates that customs duty and liquor tax would come under
supervision of the Finance Ministry, whereas the regional office
was permitted to impose levies on liquor.
The sale of liquor in hotels, bars, restaurants and certain
other places, is not going to reduce the distribution of liquor
since consumers have easy access to places where they can freely
hold drinking parties, or even drink in the privacy of their own
homes. Moslem people are striving to establish a country free of
alcohol like Brunei Darussalam, Saudi Arabia, and other Moslem
countries. The danger of liquor is evident.
The problem of alcohol was once raised on a national level by
MUI. At a seminar organized five years ago by MUI, Dr. Kartono
Mohammad, then chairman of the Indonesian Medical Association
(IDI), said it was time to introduce medicine not containing
alcohol. Alcohol in medicine could be replaced with other
chemicals that are permitted by Islam.
We hope that this problem would be settled by all parties in
an effort to build a healthier society free from unhealthy food
and drinks that could undermine the mind and spirit.
HA JAIS
Jakarta