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Special areas exempted from beer sales absurd: Ahok
Jakarta Governor Basuki âAhokâ Tjahaja Purnama has questioned the Trade Ministryâs decision to exempt special areas from its alcoholic beverage ban
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J
akarta Governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama has questioned the Trade Ministry's decision to exempt special areas from its alcoholic beverage ban.
'Isn't it absurd?' he said at Jakarta City Hall on Friday, as quoted by tempo.co.
The Trade Ministry recently issued a regulation, which went into effect on Thursday, that prohibited the sale of beverages with between 1 percent and 5 percent of alcohol in minimarts across Indonesia. The regulation stipulates beer can only be sold in supermarkets and hypermarkets.
Following outcry from vendors and regional administrations of tourism areas, such as Bali, however, the Trade Ministry decided it would issue a ministerial decree that exempted certain tourism areas from the regulation.
Ahok argued that the exemption for certain locations indicated that the distribution of alcoholic drinks distribution was determined by certain religious teachings such as sharia law, and that the regulation, production, distribution, and sale of alcohol should not discriminate against certain regions.
In Jakarta, apart from supermarkets, bars can sell alcoholic beverages and may see a rise in profits.
Harry McMechen, manager of a bar in Kemang, South Jakarta, said the regulation would have a positive effect on his business, as it might increase the number of customers at his bar.
'Potentially, yes. If it's more convenient to buy drinks at a bar, if it's closer than a grocery store, then people will choose to drink in bars,' he told The Jakarta Post over the phone.
Ahok recommended that the government establish special stores for alcoholic beverage sales, with tight regulations on customers. That way, the distribution of the drinks can be controlled, he said. (fsu/nvn)(+++)
