Government proposal to punish alcohol consumption similar to drug trafficking

mugwump

For chrissasakes refute your Scottish heritage and try Two Island varieties. It may diminish your pocket book a bit but enhance your taste.

davita

hahaha.... Like your style mugwump but I tried 2 Islands before and it varnished my tongue.....removed by a good Indian curry and some Thai tom-yam soup. I went to a charity ball last Friday. Not only did our raffle ticket win us a lunch for 2 at a restaurant I previously refused to attend because of its audacious pricing for being a beach warung...but the free-flow wine, at the event, was Cape Discovery. I'm now re-acquainted with a fine imported juice, locally fermented and produced as a fair tasting wine, at an affordable price, without Gov't intervention on taxes or an Indonesian politician (who probably has shares in Djarum) telling me about health issues. Cape Discovery Wines

balinews

A priority bill initiated by the House of Representatives has proposed banning all consumption of alcoholic beverages, with imprisonment of between three months and two years for anyone caught consuming alcohol. The bill on the prohibition of alcoholic beverages, a copy of which has been obtained by The Jakarta Post, will put in place a ban on the sale, production, distribution and consumption of all beverages containing more than 1 percent alcohol. A meeting of lawmakers in the House Legislation Body (Baleg) on Monday approved the progress of the bill’s deliberation to the next stage where lawmakers are set to ensure clauses in the bill do not contravene existing laws. “Under the bill, consuming alcoholic beverages could land a person in jail as it will be treated similarly to drug trafficking,” Baleg member Muhammad Arwani Thomafi of the National Development Party (PPP) told the Post. Despite the fact that it has been initiated by the PPP and fellow Muslim-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), Arwani insisted the bill was not merely about complying with religious norms. “The health issue is equally important. The bill will enable the state to guarantee the health and safety of its citizens because the bill will not only target producers and distributors but also consumers,” he said. According to the bill, a person under the influence of alcohol will face one to five years in jail for disturbing public order or for threatening the safety of others. See more at: Prison, fines await drinkers | The Jakarta Post

davita

The above is front page news in Jakpost today but I haven't seen any Indonesian language news yet. Do they have the same news? The front page of the same newspaper's business news says the first 3 months this year turned a disappointing tax collection of only 15% of the predicted amount of revenue. The Minister of Trade just left Bali saying he will make arrangements for beer selling by the little traders on the beach while his colleagues are simultaneously drafting a bill to make the consumption of alcohol criminal. The Minister of Finance says they need to beef-up tax revenue and the Minister of Tourism is praying for a rise in tourism. All without revenue from alcohol tax or from tourists that don't drink....or don't even arrive! I wonder what the Minister of Employment is thinking....with huge lay-offs pending with reduced income/taxes. Do these Ministers even talk to each other over a beer or two.:highly_amused: The biggest joke is the Minister of Trade has intimated that Bintang could be exported...who in the world would drink that crap...the only reason it's drunk in RI is 'coz the Govt imposes high import duty on decent foreign beers. Aaaand please don't get me started on exporting Bali produced Hatten wine....:cupcake:

davita

You drink wine with Curry?

Why not... Matching Food & Wine | Pairings | What wine to drink with curry - my top 5 picks

odez999

Sharindonesia ! Is it just me .. or this countr getting worse day by day ... I mean on any level ! Jilbabers multiplying (in my street) free thinkers shrinking .... Beer banned or overpriced ... (among other overpriced things) The other day wife familly called asking if we going to come for Idul Fitri to Java ... yea yea sure .. cant wait ! Me on Java .. those days are gone ! I even thinking moving out coz legislative getting unbearable ...

Mark

Just tried the Cape Discovery 2011 Shiraz and it was not bad. Both the wife and I preferred it to the Two Islands Shiraz. Artisan Shiraz however, gets a thumbs down...

davita

I agree with you odez...since this new government there are signs that we expats should keep our eyes on. The alcohol issue, the owning property issues, the immigration issues, the currency exchange issue, the language issue...since rescinded, all have a bearing on our life in RI and it doesn't seem to be getting better. When SBY was on his 2nd 5 years nothing was done....laws were debated but shelved...my well educated Indonesian family joked about NATO...no action only talk. The new government parties seems more intent on solidifying power, one way or other, the police are fighting with the KPK , the court judges are all over the place with sentencing and the President appears out of his depth. Recently he signed a bill without reading and gave all legislators big amounts to buy personal cars....since rescinded. Actually, Jakarta is a good place to be for Idul Fitri...there's no-one there...all gone back to kampungs.

tintin

Wines, even of modest qualities, are definitely unsuited to accompany curries. Their subtle aromas are overwhelmed by the curry flavors. There must be a reason why wines developed in communities that did not eat curries (Wine originated in Georgia, in the Caucasus). Beers is an appropriate pairing with curries. But whatever turns you on is OK, it's your money...