Entrepreneurs Ask The Governor To Review The Restrictions On Night Hours In Aceh

Archives - Forkopimda Banda Aceh when monitoring community activities at one of the warkop after the enactment of the SE Governor of Aceh, in Banda Aceh, Sunday morning (13/8/2023) (ANTARA/Rahmat Fajri)

The Aceh National Oil and Gas Entrepreneurs Association (Hiswana Migas) asked the Acting Governor of Aceh to review the control of circulars that regulate curfew restrictions on coffee shops and similar cafe businesses in Aceh.

"Because the policy of limiting the hours of coffee shops activities in Aceh until 00.00 WIB is not correct and seems excessive, it needs to be reviewed," said Head of Hiswana Migas Aceh Nahrawi Noerdin, in Banda Aceh as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, August 16.

Previously, Acting Governor of Aceh Achmad Marzuki had issued Circular Letter (SE) Number 451/11286 concerning Strengthening and Increasing the Implementation of Islamic Sharia for State Civil Apparatus (ASN) and the Community in general in Aceh.

One of the points in the SE is to limit the coffee shop and the like in Aceh so as not to open a business after 00.00 WIB.

Nahrawi assessed that the policy that imposed curfew restrictions on the coffee shop business was inappropriate because it could have an impact on Aceh's economic growth.

According to Nahrawi, before the circular is issued, it should be important to first consult with business actors in Aceh.

"Especially since the first, some Acehnese have also opened stalls or shops until the early hours of the morning, especially in the month of Ramadan," he said.

The chairman of Hiswana Migas Aceh also considered the decision to seem like a unilateral policy from the government, without discussing with business actors.

"A policy that concerns the livelihoods of many people should require in-depth studies and studies," he said.

Nahrawi stated that there were many complaints from gas station owners in Aceh regarding the circular. This is because almost all gas stations in Aceh have coffee shops and the like to accommodate the needs of traffic users at night resting.

"If the clock has to be closed, this is disturbing the drivers and passengers, because the driver does not only fill up fuel and drink or eat," he said.

In addition, Nahrawi also invited the Acting Governor of Aceh to re-discuss with businessmen regarding the circular letter in order to finalize dialogue and studies before a decision was made.

"Discussions need to be for good. Especially in the midst of our efforts to escape from the economic downturn after the COVID-19 pandemic," said Nahrawi Noerdin.