Rizal Harahap, Pekanbaru – Entertainment centers such as nightclubs and karaoke bars in Pekanbaru and Dumai in Riau province will be prohibited from operating at night during Ramadhan, which will begin in less than two weeks. The ban has been imposed in both cities for years.

Pekanbaru Investment Agency head Muhammad Jamil said the regulation was expected to be signed by the acting mayor soon.

"The decision has been made. We aim at creating a supportive environment [for people who are fasting] given that most Pekanbaru residents are Muslim," he said on Friday.

Bars and cafes that are part of hotel facilities will be exempted, Jamil said. "But we have yet to decide on the operational hours allowed during Ramadhan. We'll discuss it in a meeting soon," he said.

Meanwhile, Dumai Public Order Agency head Bambang Wardoyo cited similar reasons for the nightlife ban in the city. "We will send a circular [about the ban] to nightclubs [soon]," he said. (swd)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2018/05/04/nightlife-banned-during-ramadhan-1525427094.html