GOVT TO REVOKE LICENSE FOR LIQUOR SELLERS

Government threatens disconnecting business license of the seller liquor (photo: mirajnews) — **Government threatens disconnecting business license of the seller liquor.** (Photo: mirajnews)

Jakarta, 12 Rabi’ul Akhir 1436/2 February 2015 (MINA) — Indonesian government is ready to take action on those who are still selling liquor (alcohol) in public places such as minimarket, including withdrawing the trade operation permit after the regulation issuance.

“The new regulation will be officially applied in April. We allow the community to report if there is a store who sells Alcoholic Beverages,” said the Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel in the meeting with National Movement of Anti-Alcohol (GENAM), in the Trade Ministry Building, Jakarta, Saturday.

Trade Minister Regulation No. 06 / M-DAG / PER / 1/2015 about the Control and Supervision of Procurement, Distribution, and Sale of Alcoholic Beverages mentions the prohibition to sell alcoholic beverages under five percents. It includes selling beer in locations close to residents, schools, hospitals, houses of worship, stations, sports centres, street, stalls, hotels and campground.

In the regulations, the sale of certain categories of alcoholic beverages is only done by a supermarket or hypermarket. With the release of this rule, minimarkets have to withdraw alcoholic beverages from their booth for three months after the rule is published.

Gobel also expressed his concern to the younger generation of Indonesia who have lately lost their lives due to Alcoholic Beverages. It is important to enforce the new regulations. “We better lose a lot of revenue from alcohol taxes, rather than lose our young generation,” he added.

While Fahira Idris, the chairman of GENAM and member of representative reported experiences of her organization on inspection in several alcohol-related sites.

“The spread of alcohol in Indonesia is worse than cigarettes. Many concerts are sponsored by the beer companies. The people who attend the concert can drink as much. It damages our nation,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Director of Domestic Trade Srie Agustina said, for those who violate the new rules, the ministry would give a warning three times, but if they still violated, their operating license will be revoked. (L / P009/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)