In view of the urgency and significance of the law, PPP would like to encourage DPR and the government to expedite the deliberation on the anti-liquor bill.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The United Development Party (PPP) has urged the House of Representatives (DPR) and the national government to discuss an anti-liquor bill without delay considering the negative impact of liquor on public health and society.



"In view of the urgency and significance of the law, PPP would like to encourage DPR and the government to expedite the deliberation on the anti-liquor bill," PPP secretary general Arwani Thomafi said on Saturday.



The call for immediate deliberations on the bill was among the recommendations issued at the party’s national leadership meeting, held in a hybrid physical and virtual format, at Pullman Hotel in Jakarta on March 12 and 13, 2021 .



Thomafi expressed the hope the bill could be passed into law later this year.



The PPP welcomes the inclusion of the bill in the list of priority national legislation programs (Prolegnas) for 2021, which was decided at the level of the legislation body at the DPR, he stated.



He said the PPP faction in the DPR has initiated the anti-liquor bill since 2009.



The passage of an anti-liquor law will hopefully create public order, reduce the negative impact of liquor on health, society, and lives, he remarked.



President Joko Widodo early this month revoked Presidential Regulation Number 10 of 2021 on investment in business fields, including the licensing of investments in the alcoholic beverages industry.



He had signed the regulation on February 2, 2021 to open up investment in the alcoholic beverages industry in the provinces of Bali, East Nusa Tenggara, North Sulawesi, and Papua.



However, the regulation was rolled back after it sparked protests.



The regulation had been issued as a follow-up to the job creation law passed by the House of Representatives (DPR) last year.



The presidential regulation did not specifically regulate liquor, but capital investment. (INE)


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Translator: Imam Budilaksono/Suharto
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