Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Indonesia Considers Broad Ban On Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages

Amanda Siddharta

   JAKARTA, INDONESIA - Indonesian lawmakershaverenewed discussions
   aboutbanning alcohol in thecountry,amid a rise in fatalities due to the
   consumption ofillegally madeliquor. But critics ofaproposedbillsaya
   broadprohibitioncouldworsen theuse of sometimes dangerousbootlegliquor.

   The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) included the
   controversial Alcohol Prohibition Billamongalist of prioritized
   legislative initiatives for next year,theso-called2021 Prioritized
   National Legislation Program (Prolegnas).

   The bill was first introduced in2015 butwas put on hold amid wide
   criticism.

   Eighteen lawmakers from three parties,including Islam-based United
   Development Party (PPP), theProsperous Justice Party (PKS)and
   thenationalistGerindraParty, pushed for the bill toagainbeconsidered.

   IllizaSaaduddin Djamal, one of the lawmakers from PPP who spearhead the
   Alcohol Prohibition Bill, says the bill aims to protect the public from
   the negative effects of alcohol. "We want to raise awareness on the
   danger of alcohol for health. This bill is also aimed at creating
   orderliness in the society and prevent incidents caused by drunk people
   who roam the street harassing people," she told VOA.

   Amore narrowfocus

   But somecriticssay the proposed bill maybe too broad.

   PingkanAudrine, a researcher from the Center for Indonesian Policy
   Studies (CIPS), aJakarta-basedpolicy
   researchorganization,saysmostalcohol relateddeathsare caused
   byillegal,homemade liquor.

   According to the data compiled by CIPS, from 2014 to 2018, 546 people
   died after consumingbootlegliquor.Audrinesaysthe highest number was in
   2018, with more thanonehundred deaths. In more recent cases this year,
   three people died in Malang, East Java, in May, and two people also
   fell victim tobootlegalcohol in Depok, West Java, in October.

   The researcher says most ofconsumers ofillegal liquorare from lower
   economic backgroundsbecause of the price and
   accessibilityofbootlegalcohol.

.