Alcohol ban proposed in Indonesia

[Turborama]

Source: AFP

JAKARTA - Indonesian Islamic parties have proposed legislation banning alcohol consumption that could see offenders jailed for up to two years, lawmakers said Tuesday, the latest bid to crack down on drinking in the Muslim-majority nation.

On Thursday a ban on the sale of alcohol at small retailers comes into force across the country, although supermarkets, bars and restaurants will not be affected, and the trade ministry has pledged to ease the restrictions on Bali.

The parliamentary bill has been proposed by the United Development Party and the Prosperous Justice Party, two of several Islamic parties in Indonesia.

=snip=

Under the bill currently before parliament, the consumption, sale, production and distribution of all drinks containing more than 1% alcohol would be prohibited.

Read more: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/528295/alcohol-ban-proposed-in-indonesia

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Watch out for more headlines like this if the bill passes: Bootleg Alcohol Crisis: More Deaths as Moonshine Tragedy Spreads

[cosmicone]

1. Prohibition didn't work in the UK, US and India

In each case, it increased the number of alcoholics, created organized crime and led to corruption.

I wonder what is wrong with the religious zealots around the world who want to enact "feel good" but detrimental legislation to appease the religious masses.

[AngryDem001]

2. It's all about control.

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. I can't think of it ever being tried in the UK

Neither can Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition#United_Kingdom

They did ban the sale on Sundays in Wales: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-14136013 , but I'm not sure that led to alcoholism, corruption or 'organized' crime. More like people sneaking booze around for one day a week. A silly law, but not a disaster.

[cosmicone]

7. You're absolutely right.

Although the sale or consumption of commercial alcohol has never been prohibited by law, historically various groups in the UK have campaigned for the prohibition of alcohol, including the Society of Friends (Quakers), The Methodist Church and other non-conformist Christians, as well as temperance movements such as Band of Hope and temperance Chartist movements of the 19th century.

Formed in 1853 and inspired by the Maine law in the USA, the United Kingdom Alliance aimed at promoting a similar law prohibiting the sale of alcohol in the UK. This hard-line group of prohibitionists was opposed by other temperance organisations who preferred moral persuasion to a legal ban. This division in the ranks limited the effectiveness of the temperance movement as a whole.

[davidpdx]

3. I have a friend in Indonesia and she says that overall people are still pretty conservative

It seems unlikely this would pass though. Muslims may be the majority, but there are a lot of other "tribes" (as my friend put it) that might not agree.

[Turborama]

9. It seems to have the backing of the new government...

Economy in brief: Govt signals backing on alcohol ban

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Business | Thu, April 16 2015, 8:11 AM

The government has signaled its support for a bill being deliberated by the House of Representatives that would ban the consumption of alcoholic drinks.

The bill, which is reminiscent of the US’ prohibition efforts of the 1920s, would effectively prohibit the production, distribution and sale of all beverages with alcohol content above 1 percent.

Industry Minister Saleh Husin said that the House had yet to discuss the bill with the government, as deliberations were still at an early stage. He added, however, that the bill aimed to make consumers of alcohol the new targets of regulation.

“All parties need to be responsible. Up to the present, the arrangement has only put blame on the producers,” he told The Jakarta Post by text message on Tuesday evening.

Saleh added that the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages would later be restricted.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/04/16/economy-brief-govt-signals-backing-alcohol-ban.html

[SansACause]

4. They should call it an anti-tourism law.

I've been all over the world, and the idea that I couldn't get a drink at the hotel bar after a long day would eliminate my ever going there for fun.

[samsingh]

6. those countries have never had muslim majorities

[cosmicone]

8. Hindu, Muslim, Christian doesn't matter

It is the nanny state trying to enforce control over the kids. They know it wouldn't work but they have to try it anyway because it makes people feel good.

Sort of like if we banned roads, we'd eliminate accidents!

[samsingh]

10. i think it does. are there any Christian states that have banned alcohol?