"Not only moral sanction, but we would mete out other firm punishments. Anyone eating, drinking and smoking at public places at daytime during Ramadan would risk punishment,"Supian said.
Sampit, Central Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - The regent of Kotawaringin Timur of Central Kalimantan Tengah H Supian Hadi threatens to revoke the license of restaurants operating at daytime during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan starting last this month.

"Including food stalls, if operating at daytime, we could revoke their license to serve as a lesson if regulation allows," Supian said here on Saturday.

Millions of Indonesian Muslims in this predominantly Muslim country are preparing for Ramadan, a holy month of Islam to mark the start of fasting month on around May 27.

Supian asked all people to respect Muslims to perform their religious service during the holy month of Ramadan. The call is not only on those having non Islamic faiths but also for on the Muslims themselves as well.

There has been always such call every year ahead of Ramadan, but there were always restaurants and food stalls open at daytime causing inconvenience to Muslims performing their religious duty.

The regent said during Ramadan restaurants and food stalls are expected to wait until afternoon to start operation to serve Muslims preparing breaking the fast.

He specially reminded all civil servants to respect people to observe the fasting period. State apparatuses should serve as the leaders to be followed by the people how to practice religious tolerance, he added.

Supian pledged to act firmly against state apparatuses failing to observe their duty and respect other people observing the fasting period, saying sanction would be given as a lesson.

"Not only moral sanction, but we would mete out other firm punishments. Anyone eating, drinking and smoking at public places at daytime during Ramadan would risk punishment," he said.

Supian also strictly warned the owners or the operators of nigh entertainment centers against operating during Ramadan, otherwise they would face firm sanction.

He said he was set to make Kotawaringin Timur a religious town with everyone free to perform their respective religious faiths to better guarantee security in Kotawaringin Timur.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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