VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Mar. 3 - The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) lauded President Joko Widodo for revoking a regulation allowing investments in the alcoholic beverages industry.

"The President has responded wisely to the aspirations of the community regarding the views conveyed by MUI, NU, Muhammadiyah, religious leaders, community leaders, and various elements of society, with statements and policies taken by the President through revocation of attachments related to investments in the alcoholic beverages industry," head of MUI's fatwa commission, Asrorun Ni’am Sholeh, said during an online press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday.

According to him, the revocation of the regulation allowing investments in the liquor industry reflects the government's seriousness in listening to the sentiments of the community and also its commitment to working for the benefit of the nation.

He added that his party also hopes that this momentum can be used to study all provisions of laws and regulations that can hurt society.

"This includes the provisions of laws and regulations that allow the circulation of the production and abuse of liquor in the community," he said.

He also suggested that the government involve the civil society in the formulation of laws and regulations.

The President on Tuesday revoked Presidential Regulation Number 10 of 2021 on investment in business fields, including the licensing of investment in the alcoholic beverages industry.

"I, herewith, decide to declare that the appendix to the presidential regulation on the opening of new investment in the alcoholic beverages industry is revoked," he announced on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel.

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

The regulation was 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.

The head of state said the decision was taken based on inputs from several sources.

"After receiving inputs from the ulemas of MUI (the Indonesian Ulemas Council), Nahdlatul Ulama, and Muhammadiyah, as well as other mass organizations and other religious figures as well as provincial and district administrations (I have decided to revoke it),” he stated. (Antaranews)