Jakarta Bans Entertainment Venues from Selling Alcoholic Beverages During Ramadan

The Jakarta Tourism and Creative Economy (Parekraf) Agency strictly forbids entertainment venues such as bars, karaoke, pubs, and live music from selling alcoholic beverages during the month of Ramadan 1443 Hijri.

This regulation is enforced to respect the holy month of Ramadan

This provision refers to Jakarta Bylaw (Perda) No. 6/2015 on Tourism, Gubernatorial Regulation (Pergub) No. 18/2018 on Tourism Business Implementation, and Pergub No. 3/2021 on Implementing Perda No. 2/2020 on Corona Virus Disease 2019 Handling.

Another legal basis relates to the implementation of the prohibition on selling alcoholic beverages in Jakarta Tourism Agency Head's Circular Letter No. e-0001/SE/2022 concerning Tourism Businesses Operating Hours in Holy Month of Ramadan 1443 Hijri/2022 M.

Satpol PP to Intensify Monitoring Ahead of Ramadan

Jakarta Parekraf Agency's Industry Division Head Dedi Sumardi mentioned that bars attached to restaurants should be closed or prohibited from selling alcoholic beverages, while restaurants were still allowed to operate.

"Restaurants are still allowed to operate, but bars usually sell alcoholic beverages. Therefore, we just need to close the bars. That's what we are controlling and temporarily closed during Ramadan," he conveyed, Saturday (4/2).

On Friday (4/10 night, a joint team from Parekraf Sub-agency and Agency levels simultaneously put stickers on entertainment venues that were allowed to operate during PPKM Level 2.

Those stickers were put on bars or areas that could be seen clearly by visitors to inform them that the bar was free of selling alcoholic beverages.

"We don't put the sticker on the front, but right on the bar thus visitors don't mistake it for a closed business place. Because during Ramadan, no selling alcoholic drinks," he explained.

In addition to installing stickers, they would also intensively monitor and control the circulation of alcoholic beverages in the entertainment venue. Violators would be subject to sanctions, ranging from a warning to revocation of business licenses.

“This regulation is enforced to respect the holy month of Ramadan. We need to create a safe and conducive atmosphere thus Muslims who are fasting can feel safe and peaceful," he stated.