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Jakarta told House to be wise about prohibition bill
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Thousands of bottles of liquor are destroyed in Jakarta. The liquor was seized in raids on stores and kiosks that were selling alcoholic beverages illegally. (thejakartapost.com/Callistasia Anggun Wijaya)
T
he Jakarta administration has called on the House of Representatives to ensure that the prohibition bill, which it is deliberating, will not negatively affect tourism in the country if it is approved.
Jakarta Tourism Agency head Catur Iswanto said on Friday that the distribution of alcoholic beverages could be regulated to prevent the negative effects of alcohol. “However, the law should also consider the tourist industry," Catur told The Jakarta Post on Friday.
The law should not, for example, prohibit foreign tourists from consuming liquor so that tourism in Jakarta was not affected, he said, adding that the city was currently promoting itself internationally as a tourist destination.
He said as an international destination for business and leisure, night entertainment in Jakarta was an integral part of tourism. "The power of night leisure in Jakarta is so strong. After doing business here, often tourists visit a nightclub," Catur said.
The bill, introduced by the United Development Party (PPP) and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), both Islamist parties, does not take into account demands made by players in the tourist sector. If passed, the law will impose a full nationwide ban on the production, distribution and consumption of drinks with an alcoholic content of 1 to 55 percent. (bbn)
