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Batam nightspots to open during Ramadan
The Batam municipality is allowing nightspots to operate during most of Ramadan despite the call from the local chapter of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI)'s to close them during the fasting month
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The Batam municipality is allowing nightspots to operate during most of Ramadan despite the call from the local chapter of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI)'s to close them during the fasting month.
Based on a city leadership meeting held Aug. 15, the municipality has decided that nightspots are required to close on the first day of Ramadan, the 17th day or Nuzulul Qur'an, (the eve) and on the days of Idul Fitri.
This means entertainment establishments will stop operating for only four days during Ramadan, compared to 17 days last year.
Batam Mayor Ahmad Dahlan told The Jakarta Post that his office would strictly oversee nightspot activities during Ramadan in order to prevent immoral acts being carried out.
The Islamic fasting month will start in early September.
"Massage and karaoke parlors and bars offering live music will be allowed to open within the hours we have determined and activities must conform to the guidelines, especially no immoral acts," Dahlan said recently.
"Public order officers will be at hand to supervise implementation."
According to Dahlan, operators are only allowed to open their premises between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m., failing which the municipality will revoke their licenses.
"The ruling is based on inputs from the authorized agencies and MUI. However, we did not stop them from operating throughout the whole month, as a form of religious tolerance," said Dahlan.
Chairman of the Riau Islands chapter of MUI, Azhari Abbas, expressed regret over the decision, saying it was inadequate compared to previous practice.
"The number of closed days is far lower than in previous years. We had hoped that this year the municipality would close them for the whole of Ramadan," said Azhari.
He added MUI would file a protest with the Batam municipality but appealed to those in favor of MUI not to resort to anarchy.
"We will try to negotiate with Batam municipality in connection with the policy on nightspot operation during Ramadan," said Azhari.
"If the municipality insists the nightspots should remain open, can it guarantee they won't be engaged in immoral activities and that they will comply with approved hours of operation?"
Azhari speculated that the ruling, endorsed by the municipal council, reflected political motives ahead of the 2009 elections so as to gain support, especially from business people and workers.
Chairman of the Barelang Entertainment Service Association (Ajahib), Gembira Ginting, said his group welcomed the municipal decision, despite the limited operational hours.
"The decision this time is quite fair. We will follow the rules issued by the municipality. We will also ask nightspot operators to abide by the operating hours," said Gembira.
The decision, according to him, will have a positive impact on the well being of nightspot workers because they could still earn money, such as from tips, if their work places remained open.
"They also need money to celebrate Idul Fitri," said Gembira.
