JAKARTA: National Narcotics Agency (BNN) chief Comr
AKARTA: National Narcotics Agency (BNN) chief Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso has expressed his support for the Jakarta City Council in its plan to restrict the operational hours of nightclubs until 12 a.m. as stipulated in a draft bylaw on tourism.
'I support the plan as long as it aims to improve morality,' Budi said after a meeting with councilors at the City Council building in Central Jakarta on Friday.
Previously, City Council regional legislation board chairman Muhammad Taufik, of the Gerindra Party, said that councilors had suggested the new curfew because of concerns over illegal drug activities taking place in nightclubs.
The plan, however, has been criticized by city administration officials and nightclub owners who said that limiting operational hours of nightclubs would not be effective in eradicating drugs.
'Limiting the operational hours of nightclubs does not solve the problem. People can still do drugs elsewhere,' said Tourism and Culture Agency head Purba Hutapea.
Currently, nightclubs may operate from 7 p.m. until 2 a.m. as stipulated by Gubernatorial Regulation No. 21/2007 on nightclubs.
'However, if the new regulation is not effective, it can always be revised,' Budi said.
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