It's Ramadhan again
From the Press Association today: Indonesia began the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan today along with an accompanying tradition - quiet grumbling in the entertainment industry over local edicts to close nightclubs, massage parlours and amusement centres for the entire period.
"We believe this is good for everyone," said local Muslim lawmaker Slamet Nurdin. "There is much support for this as most Muslims want to focus their minds on fasting."
Ignoring the fact that 20% of the population is not Muslim and that Indonesia is supposedly a secular state, the majority of the population doesn't live in sight or sound of a nightclub, bar or massage parlour. It would appear that in their zeal to demonstrate their strict adherence to the precepts of their faith, some will actively seek out 'sin'.
The following is from a local expat bar operator: (My bar) has never been closed, not even for one day, since its opening in January 200-. A few weeks ago I went for a beer in Jl. Jaksa, to this little old bar named Romance. There I ran into Pak K., one of the city officials who normally comes to (my bar) once a year with Ramadan approaching to collect his yearly bribe. At first I didn't recognize him as he was not wearing his uniform. I caught him red faced, not with his pants down, but with a beer in his hands and two young girls at his side. The girls were clearly not colleagues. They were drinking black beer and Red Bull.
Enthusiastically I walked up to Bapak K. and shook hands. The girls, in their early twenties, looked up in surprise. Pak K. introduced me to the girls and offered me a beer. "He is the owner of (my bar)." he whispered to the girls. The girls looked with their mouths open as if I was more important than the president. Pak Karman quickly spoke a few sentences. "This year no problem with (my bar). We will help again. Same deal as last year. Ok?"
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