Restaurant din

A new restaurant, Chicago Ribs, recently opened near my house on Jl. Kemang Raya in South Jakarta. Normally this would be a welcome development, as it adds yet another dining and entertainment choice to the increasing busy Kemang area. The problem is that Chicago Ribs generates a tremendous amount of noise as a result of playing amplified music, on most nights from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Because Chicago ribs is a converted house, open to the outside in back, the noise from the band spreads out into the neighborhood and disturbs the tranquility and sleep of surrounding residents. The noise levels are very high, as I have personally measured up to 60 to 70 decibels at my front gate. This places Chicago Ribs in violation of the laws of Indonesia, which specify maximum allowable noise levels in residential areas at 55 decibels (Ministry of Health, regulation no. 718/MENKES/ per/XI/1987.

On several occasions since May 18 I have politely requested that Chicago Ribs take action to control noise levels. The management of Chicago ribs always promises to take action but does nothing. Chicago Ribs has a right to run its business, but not to act in an irresponsible manner which disturbs residents nearby.

ERIK B. LAYMAN

Jakarta