Indonesia bans sale of alcohol in minimarts

Indonesians looking to buy a cold beer from one of the country's minimarts may soon have to look elsewhere.

By the end of the month, the shops will have to stop selling alcoholic beverages, Jakarta Globe reported.

Trade Minister Rahmat Gobel has reportedly signed a regulation that will ban small, modern retail chains from selling them. These include beers and pre-mixed drinks with less than five per cent alcohol.

The regulation, which was reportedly signed by the minister on Jan 16, affects minimarts only.

Supermarkets and hypermarkets, such as Carrefour, will still be able to sell alcohol, the report said.

Mr Tutum Rahanta, deputy chairman of the Indonesian Retail Business Association, said he was disappointed with the regulation as it might harm certain sectors of the economy, such as tourism.

"Retail businessmen rely on the sale of alcoholic beverages to accommodate foreign tourists' needs," Indonesian website Tribunnews.com quoted him as saying.

He said local governments should be given the power to regulate the sale of liquor in their areas.

A new bill was tabled in Singapore's Parliament on Monday proposing to ban the consumption of liquor in all public places from 10.30pm to 7am every day.

But drinking is allowed at licensed premises such as restaurants, coffee shops and bars, during the hours stipulated in their permits.

This article was first published on Jan 24, 2015.
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