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