Bill seeks to ban liquor in Indonesia

A bill seeking for an effective ban on the sale, production and consumption of alcoholic beverages in Indonesia is among the 70 priority bills scheduled for deliberation by Indonesia's House of Representatives next year.

The proposed legislation, drafted by the country's oldest Islamic party, the United Development Party (PPP - Perti Persatuan Pembangunan) will introduce stiff penalties for the consumption of all alcoholic beverages.

Those caught consuming alcohol could face up to two years in prison, distributors would face up to five years in prison while producers could face a maximum of 10 years in jail.

"This will be a total ban, and not just an attempt to regulate production, distribution and consumption of alcohol," Arwani Thomafi, the PPP secretary at the House of Representatives was qouted as saying by English daily the Jakarta Globe, Friday.

Arwani said the party introduced the bill to bring the nation "in line with religious guidelines" as well as address the negative impact of excessive alcohol consumption on people's health.

He said tourist areas and "certain ethnicities" might be spared the ban, but he did not explain which tourist areas or ethnic groups would be allowed to consume alcohol under the ban.