Gus Miftah's Jokes: There Are Halal Alcohol To Be Consumed, Ice Cubes

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo has revoked the attachment to the Presidential Regulation concerning the opening of investment permits for liquor companies (miras). Gus Miftah appreciated Jokowi's decision.

Gus Miftah is one of the parties opposing the Presidential Decree regarding investment permits for alcoholic beverage companies. He believes there is no benefit for people who drink alcohol.

"I know very well the negative impact of alcohol itself, there is no factory like that, especially if there is one," said Gus Miftah in a press conference at the PBNU office, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, March 2.

However, Gus Miftah did not want to harshly criticize the issuance of the Perpres to the government. When a netizen asks about alcohol, he jokes.

"When there are netizens who ask, is there any alcohol that is allowed to be consumed, I answer jokingly. There is alcohol that is permissible and suitable for consumption. What? There is only one drink that is proper and halal for consumers, ice cubes," he said with a laugh.

Previously, Jokowi canceled attachments number 31, 32, 33, 45, and 46 in Presidential Regulation Number 10 of 2021 concerning the Investment Business Sector. This Perpres opens the tap for investment in liquor companies (miras) in a number of provinces.

Jokowi said the decision to cancel the opening of alcohol investment was made after receiving input from a number of organizations and religious leaders who opposed the Perpres.

"After receiving input from ulama-ulama, MUI, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Muhammadiyah, and other mass organizations, as well as other religious figures, as well as input from provinces and regions, I hereby decide on an attachment to the Presidential Decree regarding the opening of investment. It was only recently that I declared that the alcohol-containing liquor industry was revoked, "said Jokowi.