Sutiyoso announces closure of nightspots during Ramadhan

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso announced on Thursday evening that all discotheques, night clubs, billiard centers and sauna parlors must close during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan until seven days after the post-fasting Idul Fitri celebration.

The announcement was made in a meeting with some 200 owners and operators of nightspots at City Hall.

"As a sign of respect for the Ramadhan fasting month, all discotheques, night clubs, billiard centers and sauna parlors must close their businesses until the seventh day of Syawal (the month following Ramadhan)," Sutiyoso said.

"I ask for your (nightspot owners) understanding over my latest policy, following recent developments in the city."

The decision to close the nightlife centers was taken after a consultative meeting between Sutiyoso, leaders of the City Council and representatives of the Jakarta branch of the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) on Wednesday evening.

It was expected the news would be conveyed to the nightspots on Friday morning.

Sutiyoso said the meeting on Wednesday had decided that not all entertainment spots were categorized as places of 'vice'.

"Massage parlors operated by blind people are permitted to remain open, but those who have been caught organizing prostitution will be closed down," he said.

Earlier in the morning, some 200 activists from 15 Muslim organizations staged a protest at City Hall and the City Council building, demanding the closure of all nightspots during Ramadhan. However, they failed to meet the governor to deliver their demands.

They were from the Islamic Youth Movement (GPI), the Crescent Star Party Youth organization (PBB), Jihad paramilitary troops, the Hizbullah Brigade, Garda Keadilan (Justice Guard), the Indonesian Muslim Student Brigade (BPII) and the Indonesian Committee for World Muslims Solidarity (KISDI) among others.

The activists were prohibited entry to City Hall by security officers. The gates were topped with barb-wired and several barricades were ready to block protesters.

Unable to enter the City Hall, the Muslim activists became angry and shook the gates. This prompted an immediate reaction from City Hall security officials and there were several tense minutes as the activists verbally abused them.

After negotiations, city officials allowed 15 representatives to enter the complex to deliver their demands.

However they were dissatisfied as they were only met by low- ranking city officials.

"It is humiliating that we only meet servants. Even prostitutes could meet the governor, why can't we?" an activist said, referring to the fact that nightspot workers were allowed to enter the complex on Tuesday and were met by Sutiyoso himself.

The activists threatened to arrive with more protesters. They then went to the nearby City Council building.

In a related development, city police raided five discotheques, reportedly used for drug dealing and prostitution, in West and Central Jakarta on Thursday morning.

They were Diskotek Kaliber, Emerald, Zinos and Lido in West Jakarta and Diskotek Pujasera in Central Jakarta. (05/ylt)