'There is no need for a blanket ban on liquor'

The city administration recently banned the sale of all drinks containing more than 5 percent alcohol at supermarkets and hypermarkets. The Jakarta Post asked people to comment on the policy.

Hidayati Ruth Ismael, 45, works as an executive administrator at Koll Residential Services in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. She lives in Pondok Indah, also in South Jakarta:

I work for a real estate services company that helps expatriates move into their new homes in Jakarta, and we usually send them gift baskets that include flowers or fruit and a bottle of wine, to welcome them to their new homes.

Personally, I think this regulation is ridiculous. I mean, how many people drink wine and spirits in Jakarta? I believe the market is already very segmented and there is no need for a blanket ban.

Just because Muslims are a majority in Indonesia doesn't mean such regulations should be imposed. What about the rights of the minority? Besides, medical research has shown that a little red wine now and then is beneficial for your health.

I think a more effective way to prevent irresponsible drinking is to impose an age limit. In the U.S., minors or those under the age of 21 are prohibited from purchasing alcohol.

If you can't produce a valid ID showing that you are 21 or older, you can forget about buying alcohol, and this includes beer.

Limiting sales through duty free shops is not fair, as only expatriates are allowed to purchase liquor at these outlets. What about local churches that serve wine for communion? Should they all switch to grape juice?

Martua R. Simarmata, 34, is a project officer for property consultant Colliers International in South Jakarta. He lives in South Jakarta:

Now that the sale of alcoholic beverages is banned in Jakarta -- one of the biggest markets for alcohol -- local producers will reduce production, which in turn will raise production costs and effect the profits of these companies.

If this situation continues, we can expect the companies to fire workers or shut down completely. To avoid this, producers will try to find new markets in other cities, and this could even effect distribution companies, nightclubs and the bottling industry.

And since we know the tax on alcoholic drinks is one of the highest in the consumer goods market, the imposition of the ban will impact the local administration's tax revenue.

Furthermore, with the supply restricted people will try to find other means to get their alcoholic beverages, and could even resort to illegal means.

-- The Jakarta Post