It appears that conservative lawmakers in Indonesia are trying to ban alcohol it appears across Indonesia which is Muslim, bit including Bali which is Hindu.
According to reports, AA Ngurah Adi Ardhana, who is a member of the Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) in Bali, says that the studies from which the bill is based on are “too shallow.”, adding, “If we are to take a look at the bill it doesn’t look at the practices on the field and merely took into account the wishes of a select few, so it is very unfair to members of the public who are traditionally and culturally accepting of alcoholic beverages, which is also something guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution”.
It appears that twenty-one lawmakers from staunchly conservative Islamic parties, the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and National Development Party (PPP), as well as one from Gerindra Party, re-initiated their argument at the House Legislation Body (Baleg) to have the Bill on the Prohibition of Alcoholic Drinks (RUU Larangan Minol) passed into law, with the bill stalling in parliament ever since it was initiated by the same group in 2015.
Ngurah notes that Indonesia’s official recognition of six religions, five of which, including Hinduism, the majority religion in Bali province, do not explicitly forbid alcohol consumption.
It is reported that many have voiced concerns over the potential passing of such a bill, which would have a disastrous impact on the whole country in terms of the economy, tourism, and public health, with a draft of the bill says those caught consuming alcoholic beverages may be imprisoned between three months and two years.
Nyoman Sugawa Korry, Deputy Chairman of DPRD Bali, said the bill could negatively impact businesses and increase unemployment, adding, “With Bali as a tourist destination, the need and consumption of alcoholic beverages are not something you can avoid”, adding, “The bill must not inflict harm on regions that are dependent on tourism”.
Baleg Deputy Chairman Willy Aditya says the bill is in parliament’s list of priority bills in 2020 and may make the same list next year.
A report by John Alwyn-Jones
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…the funny strange thing about religion is it imposes beliefs and practices to non-believers… why cant’t they just set up their own police force and arrest followers who violate their beliefs…. separation of church and state is the biggest bs of all time….