Indonesian bar chain Holywings’ plan to open a beach club in Bali seems to be unaffected (well, almost) by a blasphemy scandal that led to the closure of their establishments.
We said “almost” because, while the beach club was officially launched yesterday, it is now operating under a different name: Atlas Beach Fest.
Celebrity attorney Hotman Paris Hutapea, one of the club’s shareholders who often gives public statements regarding Holywings, told local news outlets that the rebranding was purely done due to changes in the company’s management.
“There is no legal cause, there is no political reason. [The name change] is just because of the new management,” he said.
The famous lawyer, who often represents celebrities in high-profile scandals, also added that there are no issues with their permits and Atlas Beach Fest is ready to welcome guests as of today.
Hotman said that the company has obtained all of the required permits for Atlas Beach Fest. This may be essential as administrative issues were cited as the official reason for Jakarta shuttering its 12 Holywings outlets, including some bars not having the permit to serve alcohol.
Coconuts Bali has reached out to Hotman Paris for further clarification.
The company has touted Atlas Beach Fest, located on Berawa Beach, Tibubeneng, to be the biggest beach club in Southeast Asia. High anticipation for the beach club was marred by a blasphemy scandal after the chain posted a free alcoholic drinks promo for men named Muhammad and women named Maria in June.
The promo sparked outrage in the Muslim-majority nation, prompting the closure of all 36 Holywings bars and clubs in the country. Aside from the Bali venue, there is no indication yet that any of Holywings outlets would be able to reopen.
Read also: Holywings to take off in Bali with beach club next month despite blasphemy backlash
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