Multa Fidrus, Tangerang – Ignoring intense criticism and threats of lawsuits, the Tangerang city administration continues to pursue its vision of a moralistic society through controversial regulations banning alcohol and prostitution.

The administration recently held trials at City Hall for 26 people who allegedly violated the moralistic regulations. All of the defendants admitted before the panel of judges they had violated the regulations and accepted their punishments.

Dion Purnomo, one of the violators, received the harshest punishment. He was fined Rp 25 million after admitting to distributing alcoholic drinks. "The punishment really shocked me. The fine was a huge sum of money and I will have to tell my boss because I can't pay it by myself," he told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

Dion was arrested during an operation by the municipal public order agency near the Jakarta-Merak turnpike in Pinang district earlier this month. Officers seized 1,359 bottles of liquor from his herbal drink kiosk.

Agency head Achmad Lutfi said the bylaw banning alcohol was no "paper tiger" and the punishment would serve as a warning to anyone thinking of distributing or consuming alcohol in the city. "The judges' decision shows the administration is serious about upholding the bylaws," he said.

In 2005, the municipal council endorsed a bylaw banning alcohol and another on prostitution.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 for 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 to the public, from "enticing" others, either by words or signals, into acts of prostitution.

It also bans forms of public intimacy like hugging and kissing that are deemed to trigger "lust" in public places or places visible to the public such as hotels, restaurants or entertainment centers. Violators of this bylaw can face up to three months in prison or a fine of Rp 15 million.

The regulations became a national issue after the administration tried 31 people charged with violating the two bylaws on February 28, 2006.

Tangerang Mayor Wahidin Halim said his administration would continue enforcing the regulations, saying he was prepared to face any consequences, including lawsuits. "The regulations are not of my own making, but merely the wish of the people, as represented by the municipal council," he said.

Muslim leaders in the municipality have praised Wahidin for his efforts to create a so-called moralistic society by sticking to the vision of akhlakul kharimah (religious, responsible and honest).

"We fully support the authorities for being forceful in their enforcement of the regulations because we believe that no religion allows the consumption of alcohol or prostitution," said Junaedi Nawawi, former chairman of the city's branch of the Indonesian Ulema Council.