Amid growing conservatism, the Jakarta administration is curbing nightlife entertainment in the capital during Ramadhan, instructing all nightclubs to cease operations starting one day before the fasting month, which is expected to commence on May 26.

The head of the tourist industry department at the Jakarta Tourism Agency, Jamruhi Androfa, said only bars inside four-and five-star hotels could operate normally during Ramadhan.

However, there are certain days during the holy month that those bars are not allowed to operate at all, such as one day before the start of Ramadhan, on Nuzulul Quran, an event to commemorate the revelation of the Quran, which falls on June 12, and on Idul Fitri.

“The agency will inform business associations about the regulation next Monday,” Jamruhi said, recently.

A joint team comprising 52 officers from the Jakarta Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) and the police will monitor the operation of entertainment establishments across the city, especially in Mangga Besar and Daan Mogot in West Jakarta, Gajah Mada in Central Jakarta, Koja in North Jakarta and Kemang and Pondok Indah in South Jakarta.

Meanwhile, the operation of other nightspots is also restricted. Jakarta Tourism Agency head Catur Laswanto said on Thursday that other nightspots, such as billiard lounges, could operate from 10 p.m. until 12 p.m. Meanwhile, karaoke clubs could only operate from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

The administration’s tough stance on nightlife is a far cry from last year, when non-active Jakarta governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama permitted nightspots to operate during Ramadhan.

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