Tangerang 'bans' liquor, prostitution

Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang

The Tangerang Municipal Council has endorsed bylaws banning the sale of alcoholic drinks and prostitution, but activists doubt if local authorities will have the courage to actually implement the laws.

"Learning from past experience, many bylaws caused hot debate before they were endorsed, but then turned into paper tigers after the Council passed them," Mulyadi, chairman of Tangerang Islamic Ukuwah Forum (FUIT), said on Tuesday.

He cited bylaws banning pedicabs and street vendors on main roads as examples of local authorities' poor record in enforcing regulations.

"Pedicabs still operate freely on all main roads, while street vendors have never gone away from the municipality," said Wahyudi, urging mayor Wahidin Halim to take stern action against violators.

Imron Khamami, coordinator of Pattiro Advocation Division, voiced similar doubts about local authorities' seriousness in implementing the regulations.

He urged mayor Wahidin to form a police-backed task force to monitor the bylaws' implementation.

The liquor bylaw bans the distribution and sale of alcoholic drink, except in three-, four- and five-star hotels and designated restaurants for on-the-spot consumption.

Violators may face imprisonment of up to three months or a fine of up to Rp 50 million (US$5,000).

The antiprostitution bylaw, on the other hand, bans people, either in public streets or places visible from public streets or places where people can enter, from persuading or forcing other people, either by words or signs, into acts of prostitution.

It also bans public intimacy, hugs and/or kissing that may arouse sexual activity, either in public places or places visible to the public such as hotels, restaurants, entertainment centers or prostitution areas.