Muslim-majority Indonesia cracks down on alcohol sales

JAKARTA (AFP) - Indonesia on Thursday introduced a ban on small retailers selling most alcoholic drinks, the latest move to curb drinking in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, despite opposition from the industry and in tourism hotspots.

The ban restricts the sale of beer and pre-mixed drinks -- such as spirits with soft drinks -- to large supermarkets only, outlawing sales in the country’s 16,000 minimarts and 55,000 other small shops. Hotels, restaurants and bars are unaffected.

There had been particular anxiety about how the ban might affect tourism on the Hindu-majority resort island of Bali.

However, Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel -- who was shouted at during an ill-tempered meeting with community leaders in Bali last weekend -- has now pledged to ease the restrictions on the island to ensure street vendors can still sell beer at the beach.

The national ban is the latest sign that conservative forces in the country of 250 million people are pushing back against growing alcohol consumption, and comes the same week that Islamic parties proposed a total ban on drinking.

The trade ministry has justified the ban on sales at small retailers on health and moral grounds, as concerns grow that underage drinking is being fuelled by wide availability in local neighbourhoods.

Lawmaker Fahira Idris, the founder of the National Anti-Alcohol Movement and a leading proponent of the measure, likened alcohol to a "machine killing our youth".

"Our volunteers often see minors buying alcohol with ease in minimarkets," she told AFP.

But major brewers have voiced their unhappiness.

Multinational giant Diageo, which distributes well-known brands such as Guinness in Indonesia, called the ban "regrettable".

The Indonesian Brewers Association, which represents the country’s major beer distributors, said it amounted to prohibition in smaller towns where big supermarkets are scarce.

Indonesians are among the lowest consumers of alcohol per capita in Southeast Asia -- more than 90 percent of the population describe themselves as Muslim, and drinking is against Islamic law.

However, alcohol is widely available in bigger cities and tourist areas, and industry data shows beer sales have been growing annually by roughly five per cent.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Muslim-majority-Indonesia-cracks-down-on-alcohol-s-30258069.html


-- The Nation 2015-04-16

Maybe they should just take there moblie firing squads and shoot anyone buying a beer........

Where's Eliot Ness when you need him?

They should ban alcohol completely, it's in line with their beliefs.

An increasingly common way to deal with things these days. Do not address the illegalities existing, make a new law to partly, maybe, fix part of the problem

God drinks booze, I drink booze.

Followers of Islam believe in Jesus as One of God's greatest messengers, do they not?

Did Jesus turn water into wine? Or do only Christians believe that?

up to them.

"Lawmaker Fahira Idris, the founder of the National Anti-Alcohol Movement and a leading proponent of the measure, likened alcohol to a "machine killing our youth"."

Looking at Thailand's death-by-motor-vehicle record, maybe he's on to something.

And in Aech, in North Sumatra, it's still normal, and apparently accepted by the strict Muslim authorities, to serve and drink coffee with cannabis. What a funny world!

Yes just read it on the news Bali will be without Australian Bogans

since there is nothing to drink apart from water

They should ban alcohol completely, it's in line with their beliefs.

Not everyone's beliefs. Do you believe in "mobocracy'? Did you even read the article?

The TV alcoholics arise!

God forbid that you can only buy grog at licensed vendors and bottle shops, and not the local 7-11.

They should ban alcohol completely, it's in line with their beliefs.

Quite so.

Muslims will never understand that beliefs are something very personal..

They like to make it an all encompassing law....

Islam is a cancer, nothing less....

Who cares.

They are heading back to the dark ages anyway.

Former premier Mahathir Mohamad believes that Islam is under siege in Malaysia. He is not alone.

With religion fast becoming the most contentious source of disputes in Malaysia, this perception has given rise to a host of conservative Islamic groups becoming more vocal.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/02/24/rising-islamic-conservatism-malaysia.html

They should ban alcohol completely, it's in line with their beliefs.

Rubbish, many muslims drink alcohol. Its the getting drunk that is against their belief.

AN off topic rant post has been removed as well as a reply.

Who cares.

They are heading back to the dark ages anyway.

Former premier Mahathir Mohamad believes that Islam is under siege in Malaysia. He is not alone.

With religion fast becoming the most contentious source of disputes in Malaysia, this perception has given rise to a host of conservative Islamic groups becoming more vocal.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/02/24/rising-islamic-conservatism-malaysia.html

What does an opinion piece about Malaysia Have to do with Indonesia and alcohol sales being restricted to supermarkets?

They should ban alcohol completely, it's in line with their beliefs.

If by 'their' you mean Islam you are incorrect. Only wine is banned.

Who cares.

They are heading back to the dark ages anyway.

Former premier Mahathir Mohamad believes that Islam is under siege in Malaysia. He is not alone.

With religion fast becoming the most contentious source of disputes in Malaysia, this perception has given rise to a host of conservative Islamic groups becoming more vocal.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/02/24/rising-islamic-conservatism-malaysia.htm

Islam forbids alcohol. Lots of Moslems choose to drink alcohol though, just as some Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, and Jews do.

Remember what year it is in the Moslem calendar. The Christian countries went through big anti booze movements, fundamentalists and various wars between sects for a few hundred years. Now, how many are actually practicing regular church going Christians in these "Christian" countries.

Islam is still much earlier in the evolution.

They should ban alcohol completely, it's in line with their beliefs.

If by 'their' you mean Islam you are incorrect. Only wine is banned.

Is that right?

Why don't you fly to Riyadh and walk through the airport customs with a nice liter bottle of good Whiskey, Gin, Vodka or Rum and explain that to them.

Do let us know how you get on.

Just dont go there if u want to drink....<deleted>,,, em.........its there shi@ country.....so go to another SEA country

Just dont go there if u want to drink....<deleted>,,, em.........its there shi@ country.....so go to another SEA country

Where does it say you cant drink. Of course you can drink there. Jeeez some of you are drama queens.

They should ban alcohol completely, it's in line with their beliefs.

If by 'their' you mean Islam you are incorrect. Only wine is banned.

Is that right?

Why don't you fly to Riyadh and walk through the airport customs with a nice liter bottle of good Whiskey, Gin, Vodka or Rum and explain that to them.

Do let us know how you get on.

You can bring those bottles into Indonesia and Malaysia no problem at all. Both Muslim countries. No need to explain anything to them. So it isnt a muslim thing, its cultural.

What about the sex mountain? Who will go there if you cant drink.......

They should ban alcohol completely, it's in line with their beliefs.

Well as said, Bali, for example, is NOT majority Muslim so not according to their beliefs.

And the near million Australian tourists who go there each year are also not, and would like a cold cocktail or beer in the heat.

An inability to restrict alcohol sales and control small stores, ensuring no sales to minors, need not be addressed with a complete ban.

By your reckoning they should also introduce full Shariah law and reintroduce stoning?

Gross hypocrisy......Bali is exempt so they know which side their bread is buttered.

The Jakarta politicians will be having their boozey and stray sex weekends in Kuta.

Gross hypocrisy......Bali is exempt so they know which side their bread is buttered.

The Jakarta politicians will be having their boozey and stray sex weekends in Kuta.

Why? They can still have it in Jakarta. Or didnt you read the OP.

They should ban alcohol completely, it's in line with their beliefs.

Well as said, Bali, for example, is NOT majority Muslim so not according to their beliefs.

And the near million Australian tourists who go there each year are also not, and would like a cold cocktail or beer in the heat.

An inability to restrict alcohol sales and control small stores, ensuring no sales to minors, need not be addressed with a complete ban.

By your reckoning they should also introduce full Shariah law and reintroduce stoning?

But Indonesia is a predominantly muslim country, and government,, and the government makes the rules/ The only reason Bali isn't affected is not because it is primarily Hindu, but because it's the cash cow of Indonesia, and no alcohol sales in smaller outlets would cost billions in lost tourism.

Gross hypocrisy......Bali is exempt so they know which side their bread is buttered.

The Jakarta politicians will be having their boozey and stray sex weekends in Kuta.

Why? They can still have it in Jakarta. Or didnt you read the OP.

I did read it, and thank you for reminding me in such an arrogant manner.

It will be a little more inconvenient to access in Jakarta, with supermarkets the principal outlets. What I was getting at is that the politicians will be able to become anonymous in Bali and continue their decadent habits out of sight. They are, after all, muslim men, and drinking and sex before marriage is not permitted.

You only need to walk down Soi Nana to see the middle eastern arabs in their flowing robes cutting loose on the booze, prostitutes and lady boys to know that they take their religion seriously only when under scrutiny back home.

Linky I just checked back through this thread and noted that you've responded to a few posts. It is possible to do so without aggression, or is it not possible for you?