Mayor Eri Cahyadi Freezes Permits For Three Holywings Outlets In Surabaya

Mayor of Surabaya Eri Cahyadi (ANTARA/HO-Diskominfo Surabaya)

SURABAYA - The Mayor of Surabaya, Eri Cahyadi, has spoken about the Holywings polemic. He confirmed that he had frozen the licenses of three Holywings outlets in his area.

"The permit is not revoked but frozen. Frozen means stopping operations until the case is finished", said Eri, in Surabaya, Tuesday, June 28.

There are also three Holywings outlets in Surabaya, each located on Kertajaya Street, Boulevard Famili Utara Street, and Basuki Rahmat Street. The three outlets have been closed since Sunday, June 26, 2022.

According to Eri, the closure of the three Holywings outlets in Surabaya was based on the request of PC GP Ansor and several other elements of society to the Surabaya City Government. This follows a case of alleged blasphemy related to the promotion of free alcohol drinks for customers named 'Muhammad and Maria'.

"Now his name is Muhammad (allegedly harassed, that's what sparked the anger of the Muslims. Ansor Banser is moving and all elements are moving. That's why we are temporarily closed", he said.

According to Eri, the decision to temporarily close the Holywings outlet was based on a mutual agreement between the Surabaya Police, elements of the community, and the management of Holywings itself. The goal is to defuse the situation first while waiting for the ongoing legal process for blasphemy cases.

"We told him to close it first until the case was followed up. For what reason? this eased everything. If this is what the follow-up will be, then we will continue to do what action must be taken", he said.

However, Eri advised all parties to exercise restraint, maintain conduciveness and not take unwanted actions in Surabaya. Eri also asked the management of Holywings to strictly comply with its decision not to operate.

"If they don't, then there will be serious consequences that await them. We urge the public to remain calm, not to be stirred up and pitted against by inter-religious communities", he said.

Meanwhile, a representative of Holywings Management in Surabaya, Taufiq, previously confirmed that the three Holywings outlets in Surabaya had been completely closed since Sunday, June 26, 2022. However, Taufik could not confirm this permit suspension.