Alcohol in Indonesia

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Alcohol in Indonesia refers to the alcohol industry, alcohol consumption and laws related to alcohol in the South East Asian country of Indonesia. Indonesia is a Muslim majority country, yet it is also a pluralist, democratic and secular nation.[1] These social and demographic conditions led to Islamic parties and pressure groups pushing the government to restrict alcohol consumption and trade, while the government carefully considers the rights of non-Muslims and consenting adults to consume alcohol, and estimates the possible alcohol ban effects on Indonesian tourism and the economy.[2]

Currently, there are no alcohol bans being enforced in Indonesia, with the exception of Aceh. Since 2014, anyone found consuming alcohol or breaching the codes on moral conduct, whether residents or visitors to Aceh, could face between six and nine cane lashes.[3] In other parts of Indonesia, to appease the Islamic parties and pressure groups, the government agreed to apply mild restriction measures on alcohol, which includes high taxation and limited bans. Indonesia is among the countries that apply high taxes on imported alcoholic beverages; in 2015, import tax on alcohol jumped to 150%.[4] Also in 2015, the Indonesian government banned the sale of alcohol from minimarkets and small shops, with the exception of Bali province, though sale was allowed in supermarkets, restaurants, bars, clubs and hotels.[5] Nevertheless, in more cosmopolitan Indonesian cities like Jakarta, Medan and Surabaya, and also in tourism hotspots such as Bali, Yogyakarta and Batam, alcohol beverages are readily available, yet with higher prices, owing to the high tax applied upon alcoholic beverages.[6]

In February 2016, Indonesian Malt Beverage Producers Association (GIMMI) called the House of Representatives to draft for comprehensive regulations on the chain of production and the marketing of alcoholic beverages, instead of total prohibition.[7]

  1. ^ Cochrane, Joe (7 October 2009). "Why Indonesia Is Not a Muslim Democracy". Newsweek. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  2. ^ Dewanti A. Wardhani; Ni Komang Erviani; Panca Nugraha (9 August 2016). "Alcohol ban jeopardizes industry, tourism". The Jakarta Post.
  3. ^ Hotli Simanjuntak; Ina Parlina (7 February 2014). "Aceh fully enforces sharia". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  4. ^ "Import tax on alcohol jumps to 150%". The Jakarta Post. 23 July 2015.
  5. ^ "Indonesia bans alcohol sales in small shops – BBC News". Bbc.com. 2015-04-16. Retrieved 2015-11-05.
  6. ^ "Bali tourist areas exempt from beer ban". The Jakarta Post. 2015-04-17. Retrieved 2015-11-05.
  7. ^ "Liquor should not be banned, but controlled: Industry". The Jakarta Post. 11 February 2016.