Shorter time for night life during fasting month

Shorter time for night life during fasting month

JAKARTA (JP): The municipal administration is limiting the business hours of entertainment places in the capital during the Moslem fasting month of Ramadhan.

The gubernatorial instruction announced over the weekend stipulates that night clubs and discotheques can only operate from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., while steam bath clubs, massage parlors and health centers can only be open from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Live music clubs or traditional shows, bars, pubs, coffee shops and Karaoke clubs can only operate from 8 p.m to midnight.

Billiards centers are only allowed to open from 10 a.m. to midnight.

The gubernatorial instruction also says that all entertainment parlors in the city must be closed a day before the start of the fasting month and on the first day of Ramadhan, as well as a day before and after Idul Fitri, and during the two-day Idul Fitri celebration.

The head of the City Public Order Office, Kusaeni Budiantoro, told reporters that the instruction was issued in an effort to prevent disturbances during the fasting month, which will begin on Feb. 3.

"The instruction, we hope, will allow Moslems to fast in a peaceful atmosphere during the holy month," he said.

Kusaeni said star-rated hotels are not affected by the instruction because they are exclusive and far from residential areas.

"Entertainment held in star-rated hotels will not disturb Moslems during Ramadhan because most of them are not located near residential areas," he said.

Kusaeni said his office would take firm action against entertainment centers that violate the stipulations in the gubernatorial instruction. (yns)