JAKARTA - The NasDem Party assesses that the closure of the Holywings bar and cafe by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is not due to Governor Anies Baswedan's alignment with one particular group.
Deputy Chairperson of the NasDem Party, Ahmad Ali, explained that the insistence on closing Holywings originated from public anger that the cafe had insulted the Prophet Muhammad. But related to blasphemy, he said, the police had handled it.
"Actually, if we look at the Holywings case, it started as a matter of public anger, then it was suspected that there was blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad. But that room is a police room, so the local government should not enter that room," said Ahmad Ali to reporters, Wednesday, 27 June.
Meanwhile, he continued, DKI Governor Anies Baswedan revoked Holywings' business license because the company was proven to have violated the provisions on alcohol sales certification.
"Let's look at the DKI Regional Government's policy in a professional manner, that it must be done because it concerns the interests of the community. Closing the 12 Holywings Jakarta is more about compliance with permits, not because of the issue of blasphemy," explained Ahmad Ali.
"Because blasphemy is a police matter, but later it was found at Holywings that it was an abuse of permits, some were even unlicensed," he continued.
Ahmad Ali also considered that Anies' accusation of closing 12 Holywings outlets for the sake of the 2024 presidential election was baseless. Because if that was Anies' strategy, said Ali, then the NasDem presidential candidate should have sought sympathy outside the angry group.
"It's too stupid for Anies to do that (closing Hollywings) just for that (the presidential election). Because Anies has been personified as a person who has received support from the 'Muslim' group then why then do something like that? If he wants to seek sympathy, right? , he must be outside such a group. (So) For me it has nothing to do with politics, "said Ahmad Ali.
Instead, Ali appreciated the step of Anies Baswedan who strictly enforced the rules for closing companies whose licenses were problematic.
"Appreciation to Anies is his firmness in enforcing the rules, that he knows very well the consequences of getting bullied, but in the name of the rules he acts correctly because it is the truth, if Hollywings fulfills the requirements, it won't be closed either," said Ahmad Ali.
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