A

t least 20 community and youth organizations in Bandung have opposed a plan by the Bandung city administration to limit the operational hours of night time entertainment spots.

Pagar Nusa coordinator Asep Hadian said the plan was contrary to Bandung City Bylaw No. 7/2012 on the implementation of tourism.

'€œIf the existing regulation is breached by those who ratified it [in this case, the city administration] this is a bad precedent,'€ Asep said in Bandung.

The initiative is related to a recommendation by the National Police to the Bandung city administration to limit the operational hours of entertainment spots in the city to 12 midnight.

The time limitation affects all kinds of entertainment spots, including discotheques, pubs, karaoke and massage parlors.

Asep said the tourism regulation stipulated in detail the operational times of various types of entertainment businesses in Bandung.

In the bylaw, entertainment establishments are allowed to be open from afternoon until 3 a.m. The local bylaw was issued after input on investment potential in Bandung.

'€œIf it is limited it gives the impression that Bandung is not safe and secure,'€ Asep went on.

Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil expressed the initiative in an effort to prevent crimes that usually occurred at night after asking for recommendations from the police.

Separately, Bandung Police chief Insp. Gen. M. Iriawan said the time limit of midnight for night spots was appropriate. He added that the policy was completely in the hands of the Bandung mayor.

'€œWe only gave a recommendation. Furthermore, we have the support of the public,'€ said Iriawan after holding a meeting related to the issue with religious and community leaders in Bandung.

Police also denied the recommendation was related to recent incidents at night spots, such as the knife attack on Astanaanyar Police chief Comr. Sutorih, the attempted mugging of two D'€™amor pub employees or the murder on the Pasteur-Surapati overpass.

'€œI have conveyed the recommendation to the provincial administration regarding the operational hours of entertainment places so Bandung would become a better place,'€ Iriawan said, adding that the recommendation was also supported by a study by his force.

However, Iriawan said the recommendation did not include data on crimes at entertainment spots in Bandung. Regarding complaints from night spot operators, Iriawan said they would be conveyed to the mayor who has the authority over city policies.

The majority of night spot operators in Bandung are affiliated with the Indonesian Tourism and Entertainment Industry Association (HIPHI) Bandung chapter, which has a membership of around 300 businesspeople.

Bandung HIPHI head Barli Iskandar said his group would be smart in responding to the police recommendation.

'€œAs long as it'€™s a government program, we will support it, but we hope there will be clear communication between the police, municipality and entrepreneurs,'€ he said.

Adding that all parties wanted certainty on the initiative.

'€œThe present ordinance also includes the time limitation. I believe this is just a communication issue: Which one shall we abide by? The call from the police and mayor or the provincial bylaw? Clarity is needed for the businesses owners,'€ said Barli.