Antara, Jakarta – The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) deputy chairperson, Anwar Abbas, on Sunday criticized the recently-passed legislation that permits investments on alcoholic drinks which he said may spark exploitation.

"It is visible in this regulation that people and the nation are seen and positioned by the government and businesses as objects of exploitation," said the MUI deputy on Sunday, February 28.

He believes that this rule will establish the alcohol drink industry as an open industry that would pose harm to members of the public as he argues it would broaden the circulation of alcohol across the provincial borders that are permitted by the regulation.

The Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 10/2021 on investment businesses which oversees investments for the alcoholic drinks industry in Papua, Bali, East Nusa Tenggara, and North Sulawesi. This was ratified by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo on February 2, 2021.

Another protest similar to the MUI one came from House legislator from the PAN faction, Saleh Partaonan Daulay, who said it would spark the insurgency of bootleg, illegal, and counterfeit alcoholic drinks in provinces outside of the ones mentioned in the law.

"This has often happened. Police and the BPOM have often arrested suspects of such crimes," said Daulay.

Previously reported, Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) chief Bahlil Lahadalia argued that the presidential regulation in general will boost competitive investments and help develop the intended business sector.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1437525/alcoholic-drink-law-criticized-by-indonesian-ulema-counci