Sutiyoso signs decree on entertainment spots

Sutiyoso signs decree on entertainment spots

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Governor Sutiyoso has signed the decree that orders the
closure of a number of entertainment spots during the fasting
month of Ramadhan, but which does not explicitly ban the sale of
alcoholic drinks at the spots.

"The governor signed the decree on Tuesday afternoon," city
administration spokesman Muhayat said on Wednesday.

Ramadhan is expected to begin officially on Friday.

The decree, which will affect 450,000 people employed in the
entertainment sector, orders the total closure of nightclubs,
discotheques, bars, saunas and massage parlors during the fasting
month of Ramadhan.

Others venues, such as cafes, restaurants and live-music
halls, can operate during the holy month, except the day before,
the first day, the 17th day (the Revelation day of the Holy
Koran) and the last three days of Ramadhan.

But it does not explicitly ban the sale of alcoholic drinks at
entertainment centers, as had been announced before. It says only
that the others (entertainment centers) may open for business as
long as they do not violate the time limit (from 8:30 p.m. to
00:30 a.m.).

However, Muhayat told The Jakarta Post that the entertainment
venues allowed to open would have to comply with religious norms
and not provide "unsuitable" entertainment, such as alcoholic
drinks or striptease shows.

"We mean that entertainment spots should not provide
prostitution, striptease shows or alcoholic drinks," Muhayat
said, adding that the governor would revoke the permit of venues
found violating the regulations.

"The city tourism agency will supervise the implementation of
this decree with the help of the general public," he said, asking
that the public report to the administration any irregularities
at entertainment spots.

Muhayat said the decree was immediately signed on Tuesday
afternoon after the administration had received faxed
recommendations jointly signed by the minister of religious
affairs, the coordinating minister for people's welfare, the
state minister of tourism and culture, the minister of home
affairs, the state minister of communications and information and
the National Police chief.

"The statement from the ministers is only an appeal. In
practice, the administration should set out in detail what is
closed and what may be opened during Ramadhan," he said, adding
that Sutiyoso had felt the need to sign the decree right away as
it was awaited by many people.

The decree was issued after the administration had held a
series of hearings early this month with the government and
military officials concerned and with several leaders of Muslim
organizations, including radical ones like the Islam Defenders
Front (FPI).

But the governor reportedly did not meet with representatives
from the largest Muslim organizations, the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)
and Muhammadiyah.

Last month, the city administration urged Muslim organizations
to support its plan to allow entertainment venues to operate
undisturbed during the fasting month of Ramadhan.

Deputy governor for administrative affairs Abdul Kahfi said
support was needed from the organizations, as the entertainment
sector fed over one million people. "We should be wise regarding
this matter. We need to avoid unemployment," Kahfi noted.

Some Muslim organizations, including the FPI and the Islamic
Missionary Council (DDI), have protested the administration's
plan to allow venues to operate during Ramadhan.

"If the administration refuses to close the centers, we will
close them forcibly," FPI deputy chairman Salim Nasir said last
month.

Last year, some hard-line groups attacked several venues,
including cafes and discotheques in the city.

Entertainment centers ordered closed during Ramadhan:
1. Nightclubs, 2. Discotheques, 3. Bars, 4. Saunas, 5. Massage parlors