Prohibition Of Cigarettes At Night Entertainment Places Protested, Pramono: Entrepreneurs If Profit Is Silent, Woro-woro Pressures

DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, Thursday, June 26. (Tsa Tsia-VOI)

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung responded to the attitude of entertainment group entrepreneurs who protested the discourse on banning cigarettes in nightclubs such as discotheques, bars, and karaoke.

Pramono claims he understands that entertainment business revenues are experiencing ups and downs. Thus, Pramono said that the DKI Provincial Government is still reviewing opportunities for granting relief if the ban is implemented.

"So we studied it, yes. But like this, if the entrepreneur is lucky, stay silent. If you are under pressure, what are Woro-woro. Woro-woro? Anyway, that's it," said Pramono in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, Thursday, June 26.

On the one hand, Pramono said that the DKI Provincial Government has provided incentives in the form of discounts on hotel and restaurant taxes of up to 50 percent for two months. This incentive is given to anticipate the threat of a storm of layoffs.

"This is valid for the next 2 months to 2 months. Because I myself am also surprised that this Jakarta tax payment until last week has reached 47 percent. Meanwhile, the national level is only 32 percent. It shows that taxes in DKI payments include good and orderly," said Pramono.

Moreover, if local regulations (perda) that regulate non-smoking areas are implemented, entertainment business managers are also still allowed to provide special rooms for smoking.

" Night entertainment entrepreneurs must prepare a place for people to smoke so as not to disturb others. Is smoking allowed? It's okay for smokers. Where is the place? In a special place prepared," Pramono explained.

Previously, the General Chairperson of the Jakarta Entertainment Entrepreneurs Association (Asphija) Hana Suryani did not agree if the government prohibited the use of cigarettes in nightclubs.

This is in response to the Draft Regional Regulation (Raperda) for Non-Smoking Areas (KTR) which is being prepared by the DPRD and the DKI Provincial Government. Where, it is proposed to prohibit smoking in entertainment venues such as discotheques, bars, and karaoke places.

"In my opinion, in the midst of a situation like this, that's all. The entertainment world doesn't have to do much," Hana told reporters, Wednesday, June 25.

If the government officially bans cigarettes in nightclubs, Hana is worried that more businesses will suffer.

This is because the entertainment tax set by the government is currently very high, which is 40-75 percent. Plus, currently Hana admits that the number of visitors to nightclubs continues to decline.

"This means that our (business) is about to die. It's not sluggish anymore, here. My breath is in the throat. Plus there is this policy, I'm weak, I'm resigned," said Hana.

"I think the entertainment should be tampered with? It's a pity, huh. What's up with the toys?" he continued.