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Alcohol prohibition bill based on exaggerated concerns: APINDO
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Police officers watch a suspect create bootleg liquor, locally known as oplosan, during a crime reenactment at the Mlati Police office in Sleman regency, Yogyakarta, on Feb. 10.
(Antara/Andreas Fitri Atmoko)
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public policy expert from the Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO) has lambasted the alcohol prohibition bill currently under discussion at the House of Representatives.
The bill was a disproportionate attempt to address a limited social concern at the national level and could affect economic growth, APINDO head of public policy Danang Girindrawardana said on Wednesday, adding that “the bill is too broad an attempt to address a specific issue.”
Pointing to concerns over bootleg alcohol, he cautioned lawmakers not to overreact to a perceived crisis in alcohol consumption by drafting a law that could deter investors and was not based on appropriate data.
Indonesia has the lowest alcohol consumption rate in Asia.
“The principles of public policies must be based on accurate data. When that data has been complied accurately but is [interpreted in a biased fashion], that creates the wrong public policy,” Danang said during a discussion in Jakarta.
The government already had enough laws to regulate and control alcohol consumption, production and distribution, he said.
“The problem lies in the lack of law enforcement and monitoring of the existing regulations”, he continued, adding that the lack of oversight resulted in a “desire to create more regulations”.
Indonesia was already overregulated, Danang went on, saying this made investors hesitant about coming to Indonesia, because the country was perceived to be unpredictable in the way regulations were issued. (bbn)
