Jakarta nightclubs to close by midnight?

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Will nightclubs in Jakarta soon have a midnight curfew?

After a proposal last week to limit opening hours by the Regional Representatives Council (DPRD) DKI, Head of Tourism and Culture Department Purba Hutapea assessed the plan and expressed his disapproval.

“In the Jakarta metropolitan, many expatriates and professionals who work late look for entertainment after 10. It would be too short,” Hutapea said to Rappler, Tuesday, October 6th.

“Remember that one of the government’s obligations is to provide entertainment for its citizens.”

His comments come after Chairman of the Regional Legislation (Balegda) Regional Representatives Council (DPRD) of Jakarta, M. Taufik said he is preparing a draft regulation regarding early closures for nightclubs in the city.

Taufik said he want to revise the regulation due to rampant drug trafficking in nightclubs in Jakarta. Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama previously shut down Stadium, a discotheque in Hayam Wuruk, West Jakarta, which is suspected to be a go-to for drug transactions. 

The draft plan will be decided on this week.

Currently, nightclubs in the capital are allowed to stay open until 03:00 am.

Hutapea also said that closing early would have a negative economic impact.

“If the opening hours become shorter, there will be reduced income. Eventually, taxation could be reduced,” he said.

In 2014, the Jakarta Provincial Government reported a tax revenue of Rp 3.5 trillion from nightclubs and discos. – Rappler.com