Restaurant in Surabaya sanctioned for selling alcohol during Ramadan

An eatery in the Wiyung subdistrict, Surabaya Barat, was found still selling alcoholic beverages in the middle of the holy month of Ramadan. The discovery occurred as the Surabaya City Civil Service Police (Satpol PP Kota Surabaya) conducted Public Entertainment Recreation (RHU) oversight at several points across Surabaya Selatan, Surabaya Barat, and Surabaya Pusat. The head of Satpol PP Kota Surabaya, Achmad Zaini, said that of eight locations visited, one restaurant in Surabaya Selatan violated the Mayor’s Circular prohibiting the display or serving of alcoholic beverages during Ramadan. ‘We are continuing to ramp up supervision of public entertainment venues, especially during this holy month,’ Zaini said on Wednesday (4/3). He explained that the alcohol was being served in plastic jugs to customers rather than in bottles. ‘The violation is the same as previously found: the beverages are not served in bottles, but placed in plastic jugs,’ he added. In addition to monitoring alcohol sales, authorities also checked the establishment’s business licence. ‘Alongside supervision of the sale of alcohol, we also conduct checks on the restaurant’s business licence. For the licence, we work with the relevant agencies taking part in the enforcement activity,’ he said. From the raid, officers seized at least 61 bottles of alcoholic beverages, and the restaurant was issued violation stickers. ‘We remain committed to a persuasive and humane approach. If violations continue, we will take action in accordance with the rules, with the aim of maintaining city stability in Surabaya,’ Zaini emphasised.