Indonesia considering banning all Alcohol

[whatmeworry]

Despite Indonesia being quite a moderate Islamic country two Islamic parties want alcohol banned from the country.

Indonesia is considering a new law that would ban the production, distribution and consumption of alcohol across the country, including in Bali.
And while booze makers and sellers warn the move would crush Bali’s tourism industry, it may also fuel sly-grogging on the island — a deadly problem that claims tourists among its victims.
A bill to ban the sale, distribution and consumption of drinks containing more than one per cent of alcohol was introduced by two Islamicist parties, the United Development Party and the Prosperous Justice Party, and is being deliberated by Indonesia’s House of Representatives.
If passed, the law would be the first of its kind in Muslim-majority Indonesia.
There may be some exceptions to the booze ban for travellers, customary activities and religious rituals.

Bali alcohol ban? Indonesian law would outlaw beer and wine

 

[JohnK]

Any ban on the consumption of alcohol would mean I would not visit the country. No second thoughts on my part.

 

[Hvr]

Any ban on the consumption of alcohol would mean I would not visit the country. No second thoughts on my part.

I bet that if Thailand introduced such a ban you'd still visit.


The banning by Indonesia could see Jet* deciding it's not worth transporting fewer and fewer bogons.

 

[Duffa]

No brainer for me. Guess I'll never get to Bali then

 

[Austman]

What to do with all the Bintang t-shirts for sale would cripple the economy.

So it's not going to happen.

 

[Dudditz]

While this would be a shame I have never visited Indonesia nor ever will with alcohol as a primary focus of my trip - much better places to go. As stated I couldn't see this being strictly enforced for tourists as it has been in other middle eastern and African countries I've visited so I think it's a tad premature to worry. If it lessens the flow of Bali/Lombok bogans travelling it might not be the worst thing

 

[Austman]

I'm not a gambler but after many visits to Indonesia and, I think, a fair understanding of how things happen there, I can't think of anything much more certain to bet on than this not happening.

Some restrictions on the sale of alcohol might happen. But a total ban? No way.

 

[JohnK]

I bet that if Thailand introduced such a ban you'd still visit.

Not so sure I would still visit. I'd be bored after an hour or so of no alcohol. It's not like the food is worth the trouble. So that only leaves the golf and the wife and those 2 are not on the best of terms.

 

[Simo]

It will hurt the tourism industry

 

[Viridianne]

That's absurd. They love their Bintang beers!

 

[Buzzard]

I enjoy a drink as much as the next person but I'm not sure that banning alcohol would be a reason not to visit any country I would otherwise want to visit.

 

[Pushka]

Any ban on the consumption of alcohol would mean I would not visit the country. No second thoughts on my part.

On this JohnK we totally agree. Going in September and would cancel on the spot. This trip is to be a relaxation break not tourist trip as we have been to Bali several times. No alcohol - no go.

Have travelled extensively through Southern India where there is no alcohol but Bali is not this kind of place.

 

[Milefest]

I'm not much of a drinker but alcohol is one of those drinks that I want available to me on a holiday, no alcohol would be a deal breaker for me.

 

[travelislife]

Not so sure I would still visit. I'd be bored after an hour or so of no alcohol. It's not like the food is worth the trouble. So that only leaves the golf and the wife and those 2 are not on the best of terms.

The food not worth the trouble!?? What the!? The food is one of the main reasons for going to Bangkok. Thai obviously but a lot of other cuisines as well.

 

[jb747]

Probably great news for the Thai tourist industry....

 

[burmans]

Personally I think there's some overreacting here. Plenty of weird things get considered in all parliaments and usually by the time they actually get through parliament (if they do get approved) the more controversial clauses are watered down or totally removed.

 

[Pushka]

Personally I think there's some overreacting here. Plenty of weird things get considered in all parliaments and usually by the time they actually get through parliament (if they do get approved) the more controversial clauses are watered down or totally removed.

Not over reacting. Just saying if this is implemented we would not travel to Bali. No reference at all as to whether this will happen or not.

 

[samh004]

Not so sure I would still visit. I'd be bored after an hour or so of no alcohol. It's not like the food is worth the trouble. So that only leaves the golf and the wife and those 2 are not on the best of terms.

I'm surprised you survive Thailand so often if you don't enjoy the food, as it's delicious!

I'm in two minds about this issue. I think that a booze ban would change the tourism landscape such that it'd be a nicer place to visit (eg. without the bogans), however I think it'd also cripple the economy as tourism would really drop off. The section of the market that would get by without alcohol would be so small compared to that which cannot survive without it.

 

[trooper]

Even if this did happen... My bet is it would be in a kinda/sorta way..... with Bali in particular being some sort of "Exception zone"...:mrgreen:

(Went there once for a Skydiving Meet.... couldn't see any reason to ever go back lol)

 

[JohnK]

The food not worth the trouble!?? What the!? The food is one of the main reasons for going to Bangkok. Thai obviously but a lot of other cuisines as well.

The farang food is fantastic. I was specifically referring to Thai food. But I wouldn't visit a country just for the food. That's not my idea of a holiday destination.

I'm surprised you survive Thailand so often if you don't enjoy the food, as it's delicious!

The food makes me sick. It really does make me sick. Ginger, curry, garlic, basil etc. I don't need to have that with every meal 3-4 times/day.

My idea of a nice feed is to go buy some really nice pork, cut it into pieces and deep fry it in Soybean/Palm oil then add salt/lime and cook then cook some of those long Thai potatoes the same way. It is delicious. I find myself licking my fingers cleaning up the plate. And it goes quite nicely with a bottle or 3 of cheap Chang beer.

The wife and family love the Tilapia fish. Cheap but obvioudly good source of protein. Steamed or fired as my wife calls it with various herbs and then eat the fish with sticky rice and some spicy concoction where thry dip the food.