http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailcity.asp?fileid=20060306.H03&irec=2
Critized, Tangerang mayor defends contentious bylaws Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang Tangerang Mayor Wahidin Halim, facing intense criticism and the threat of lawsuits, has vowed to continue pursuing his vision of a more moral society through bylaws that ban prostitution and alcohol. "We will go ahead and punish any violations of the two bylaws," he told The Jakarta Post on Saturday. The mayor said his administration was prepared to deal with any consequences that might result from the implementation of the ordinances, including class-action lawsuits by disgruntled residents. Wahidin said the bylaws his administration had passed were more comprehensive than the articles in the Criminal Code dealing with prostitution and alcohol. He claimed, for example, the Criminal Code only dealt with prostitutes themselves, but did not touch on those who facilitated the practice. "There is room to supplement the Criminal Code. Our antiprostitution bylaw covers what the Criminal Code does not," he said. As the municipality marked its anniversary Tuesday, a court was trying several people who had been charged with violating the new bylaws. A pregnant elementary school teacher found herself caught by public order officers enforcing the bylaw on prostitution as she was waiting on the side of the road for her husband to pick her up. The woman pled not guilty, and explained to the court why she was by herself at night on the roadside. The court, however, dismissed her explanation and fined her Rp 300,000. When the woman was unable to pay the fine, she was taken to prison. Wahidin, when informed of the case, said the bylaw upheld the dignity of women. "I think (the criticism) is being orchestrated by groups that are exploiting women to justify their own vices," he said. Members of the Tangerang Urban Poor Society protested against the bylaws Friday outside the Tangerang District Court. The group also threatened to file a lawsuit against the municipal administration unless the mayor revoked the ordinances. Religious leaders have praised the administration for its efforts, and urged the authorities to be forceful in their enforcement of the bylaws. "The authorities must not be afraid to implement the bylaws, for the sake of our morality," said Nur Muhamad Iskandar SQ, founder of the Ashiddiqiyah Islamic boarding school. Nur said the bylaws were necessary and that all religions frowned on vices such as prostitution and alcohol. "No religion allows prostitution or the excessive consumption of alcohol," he said. An official with the hard-line group Islam Defenders Front, Eddy Suseno, said people who objected to the bylaws were probably trying to protect their business interests. The head of the Tangerang chapter of the Indonesian Ulema Council, Edi Junaedi Nawawi, said noble causes often faced greater resistance than evil ones. The municipal council endorsed the contentious bylaws Nov. 21, 2005. The liquor bylaw bans the distribution and sale of alcoholic drinks, except in three, four and five-star hotels and designated restaurants for on-the-spot consumption. Violators can face imprisonment of up to three months or a fine of up to Rp 50 million. The bylaw on prostitution bans people, either in public places or locations visible from public places, from enticing others, either by words or signals, into acts of prostitution. It also bans public intimacy, hugging and/or kissing, either in public places or places visible to the public such as hotels, restaurants or entertainment centers. Violators may face up to three months in prison or a fine of Rp 15 million. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Join modern day disciples reach the disfigured and poor with hope and healing http://us.click.yahoo.com/lMct6A/Vp3LAA/i1hLAA/aYWolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Milis Wanita Muslimah Membangun citra wanita muslimah dalam diri, keluarga, maupun masyarakat. Situs Web: http://www.wanita-muslimah.com ARSIP DISKUSI : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wanita-muslimah/messages Kirim Posting mailto:wanita-muslimah@yahoogroups.com Berhenti mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Milis Keluarga Sejahtera mailto:keluarga-sejahtera@yahoogroups.com Milis Anak Muda Islam mailto:majelismuda@yahoogroups.com This mailing list has a special spell casted to reject any attachment .... Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wanita-muslimah/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
