Two Surabaya Restaurants Penalised for Selling Alcohol During Ramadan

The Surabaya city government, through its Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP), has taken action against two restaurants found to still be selling alcoholic beverages during the holy month of Ramadan.

Satpol PP Surabaya chief Achmad Zaini said the violations were uncovered during inspections conducted at eight locations across East, Central, and South Surabaya last weekend.

During the inspections, officers discovered two restaurants still serving alcoholic drinks. The establishments had been disguising the beverages by pouring them into plastic teapots before serving them to patrons.

“They were serving the drinks using plastic teapots before presenting them to restaurant guests,” Zaini said on Monday (23 February).

Following the discovery, officers immediately secured evidence from both locations. At the first establishment, officers confiscated 12 bottles of alcoholic beverages, whilst 20 bottles were seized at the second.

“The evidence has been secured. We will proceed to process this through the minor criminal offence mechanism,” he said.

In addition to the confiscation, officers also affixed violation stickers at each restaurant as a form of administrative sanction.

Zaini stressed that both business operators had violated the provisions set out in Surabaya Mayor’s Circular Letter Number 300/2326/436.8.6/2026 concerning guidelines for security and public order during the holy month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 2026.

The circular explicitly regulates business activities during Ramadan, including a prohibition on displaying, distributing, selling, or serving alcoholic beverages, in order to preserve the sanctity of worship and maintain orderly conditions in Surabaya.

“We urge all business operators to comply with the prevailing regulations. We will continue to carry out inspections on a routine basis. Enforcement will remain firm, but conducted through a persuasive and humane approach,” he concluded.