Alcoholic Beverage Prohibition Must Accommodate All Interests

 
Christina Desy, Rofiq Hidayat
 
In an effort to reduce the negative side effects of alcohol consumption, the House of Representatives (House) has been discussing a Draft Bill that includes certain prohibitions on alcoholic beverages.
 
The Draft Bill was put forward by the United Development Party (PPP) and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) in 2013. Currently the House’s Legislation Office (Baleg) is discussing and finalizing the Draft Bill with related stakeholders.
 
Firman Subagyo, Deputy of Baleg, said that the discussions aim to gather concerns from a wide number of circles on any proposed prohibitions to avoid any discrimination arising from such a law. Giving an example, Mr. Subagyo highlighted the concerns of certain groups, including Balinese and Papuans, whose cultures include consumption of alcoholic beverages.
 
To accommodate such considerations, Mr. Subagyo says the Draft Bill will need to include certain exemptions. Changing the nature of the Draft Bill from prohibitions to merely managing the distribution of alcoholic beverages is also being considered.
 
Commenting on Mr. Subagyo’s statements, Khatibul Umam Wiranu, Deputy of Commission II of the House, says he supports the Draft Bill as he believes that Indonesia needs a law to better control the distribution and consumption of alcohol.
 
In the past the regulatory framework covering alcoholic beverages in Indonesia has been regularly changed to fit the objectives of the current administration. This year the government prohibited the sale of alcoholic beverages at minimarkets by issuing Minister of Trade Regulation No. 06/M-DAG/PER/1/2015. This policy was designed to prevent teenagers and minors from being able to easily buy alcoholic beverages.
 
“This is not to fully ban alcoholic beverages, but more to limit their sales to authorized places only,” said Mr. Wuranu.
 
Responding to Mr. Wuranu’s concerns, lawmaker Asrul Sani (Commission III), explained that the Draft Bill also sets out provisions on illicit alcoholic beverages, not only industry-manufactured drinks.
 
Mr. Sani also indicated that the Draft Bill will include certain exemptions to prohibitions on alcoholic beverages, such as for customary and ritual purposes, medication, and for tourism businesses.  
 
(hot/kc)