Indonesia’s Civil Service Police (Satpol PP) often target warungs (small, informal restaurants) that stay open during daylight hours during Ramadan, usually in accordance with local regulations ordering food and beverage establishments to stay closed during the day out of “respect” for those who are fasting.
In Jakarta, there exists a regional bylaw, passed in 2015, prohibiting night clubs, spas, massage parlors, and bars to from opening during the entirety of Ramadan with the exception of bars that are located inside hotels four stars and above.
On Friday, Satpol PP officers raided Beer Garden on Jalan Radio Dalam in South Jakarta after receiving a tip from locals that the popular bar had been serving alcohol during Ramadan.
“There are administrative sanctions. We will coordinate with the Tourism Agency to immediately issue administrative sanctions [against Beer Garden]. If they keep it up then we will pull their TDUP (tourism business certification),” said Satpol PP Jakarta Chief Yani Wahyu, as quoted by Kompas on Monday.
Yani added that Beer Garden did not have a SIUP MB (alcohol beverage trade permit) and that their operational hours exceeded the limit for Ramadan.
Bar manager Adyt denied Satpol PP’s accusations, saying that Beer Garden actually has a valid SIUP MB and that there had been no problems with them closing shop at midnight until Friday’s raid.
“The other day (during the raid), we weren’t even selling alcohol. [We only served] soft drinks and food,” he said, as quoted by Kompas yesterday.
“We normally close at 12 midnight. During Ramadan we’ve also always closed at 12.”
Adyt said that Satpol PP didn’t confiscate anything from Beer Garden during their raid, but the bar has been closed until further notice ever since.
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