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lubbers might have to search further to find a nightspot during Ramadan, as the city Tourism Agency is ordering entertainment centers to halt their operations.

Through a circular distributed to 1,100 nightlife businesses citywide, the agency announced entertainment centers that should be temporarily closed were nightclubs, discotheques, massage parlors, saunas, arcades and bars.

"The operators should close their places one day before Ramadan begins next week until one day after Idul Fitri," the agency head Arie Budhiman said Wednesday.

Ramadan is expected to begin around Aug. 21, or a month before Idul Fitri, which falls on Sept. 21 and 22 this year.

Places offering karaoke and live music are still allowed to operate during Ramadan, but only between 8:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m..

Billiard halls are also still allowed to open during the fasting month from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m., but only if they are not located in the same room as the temporarily closed businesses. If the businesses are located inside hotels, they are still allowed to open, but with modified operating hours.

The prohibition is stipulated by the 2004 bylaw on tourism.

The agency also called on business operators to not set up advertisements and posters or play movies that feature pornographic and erotic pictures, as well as carry out any forms of lottery or gambling.

Arie said venues violating the regulation would risk the possi-bility of being closed down by the authorities.

"Violators will face administrative sanctions and criminal sentences. For the first violation, we will issue a warning. After three warnings, we might close the venues and revoke their permits."

He said the public could help the authorities to closely monitor the night spots by contacting the agency's call center at 021-5263921 or the Public Order Agency at 021- 3500000 if they found any violation.

"Public should not carry out their own actions. Just inform us, and we will surely follow up the reports by carrying out necessary legal action."

The agency claimed the number of violations continued to decrease since the bylaw took effect.

In 2006, there were 19 violations, down from 37 in 2005. Last year, however, there were 14 cases, slightly increased from 11 in 2007.

Meanwhile, the Association of Tourism, Recreation and Entertainment Businessmen asked the authorities not to conduct random raids during the fasting month.

"We only operate for five hours a day during Ramadan, thus we will be running out of time to operate if the authorities conduct a raid," said association head Adrian Maelite.

The association also asked the public not to take the law into their own hands should they spot a venue operating during Ramadan.

The West Jakarta municipal administration said recently it would intensify its monitoring of nightclubs, discos, massage parlors and several other entertainment centers during Ramadan by setting up a special team comprising officers from various institutions.

West Jakarta is home to 54 karaoke bars, 48 live music halls, 26 pool halls, 37 nightclubs and 28 massage parlors.

The venues are mostly located in four districts in the municipality, namely Tambora, Tamansari, Pal-merah, Grogol and Petamburan.

Limited opening hours

Venues outside starred hotels:
Karaoke and live music: 8.30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Billiard halls: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Theater: Mon-Fri: 2 p.m. to 12 a.m., Sat-Sun and holiday: 10 a.m. to 12 a.m., Midnight show (on holiday) : 12 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Spa: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Billiards and bowling: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.