Clubs 'treat' police to ensure smooth business

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Thu, 10/04/2007 8:14 AM  |  Jakarta

Hadi Mahmud, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Restrictions on operating hours imposed on Jakarta's entertainment centers during Ramadhan and concerns of raids by Islamic groups have prompted owners to strengthen relations with the authorities to ensure smooth business.

""We just want to have a safe business environment during Ramadhan. It's essential that we maintain good relations with the authorities,"" Eva, a spokeswoman for Club 10 Executive Karaoke Club, told The Jakarta Post last week.

Recently, a mob rampaged through small cafes and hotels in Parung and Bojong, on the outskirts of Bogor, they were suspected selling alcohol and housing prostitution. Local police have yet to make any arrests over the violence, reportedly the work of Islamic groups.

Jakarta too has seen a number of unauthorized raids by fundamentalist groups on bars and clubs during the fasting month, with these raids resulting in some physical damage to the business premises.

A gubernatorial regulation issued in 2004 requires Jakarta nightclubs, massage parlors and bars to close during the holy month.

Karaoke lounges and pool halls are subjected to restricted operating hours, from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., and from 10 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., respectively. The same regulation allows bars and clubs located in star-rated hotels to remain open.

Last weekend, popular nightclubs like Embassy in Taman Ria Senayan, Central Jakarta, were closed, while others, like Club 10 Executive Karaoke Club and K-7 Hotel and Executive Club remained open.

K-7 Hotel and Executive Club, located in Kota, West Jakarta, is a one-stop entertainment center, which features a cafe, karaoke lounges and a nightclub within a three-star hotel.

Club 10 Executive Karaoke Club, in Taman Ria Senayan, mainly serves Korean and Japanese expatriates and opens only during the restricted operating hours throughout the fasting month.

To maintain the safety of its establishment, the club opens its karaoke rooms to visiting city officials and police officials free of charge, according to Eva.

""As for the beverages, they have to pay for them. Sometimes they bring their own drinks,"" she said.

The club owner also meets personally with city officials and police officers from time to time, said Eva, adding that ""it all goes toward maintaining good relations"".

The club, which has only been open for two months, boasts 12 karaoke lounges with prices ranging from Rp 300,000 (US$32) to Rp 700,000 ($76) per night.

The club has received visits from security authorities in the past, according to Eva.

""But only for monitoring purposes,"" she said.

K-7 Hotel and Executive Club, in Kota, also offers free meals to visiting city officials and security personnel to ensure the club continues to be protected from possible disturbances.

Pandu Arafah, the club's corporate relations manager, said, ""From time to time, the club invites them (officials) to enjoy its facilities to maintain good rapport, especially during Ramadhan.""

The police could not be contacted for comment.

The Association of Indonesian Entertainment Businesspeople urges members to comply with the city regulation on Ramadhan operating hours, despite business owners losing a large amount of their profit.

However, it also demands the city administration and police guarantee no raids on establishments operating within the set hours by Islamic groups.

In a meeting between police and representatives of nightclubs earlier this month, Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Adang Firman said warnings had been issued that only the police have the right to check whether businesses are complying with Ramadhan regulations, and to shut down those businesses found to be in violation.

There are more than 1,000 registered entertainment businesses across the capital. (19)

Nightlife -- Page 5

The writer is journalist with The Brunei Times on an internship program with The Jakarta Post.

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