Restaurant din

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