Muslim-majority Indonesia cracks down on alcohol sales

JAKARTA - Agence France-Presse

AFP Photo

Indonesia banned on April 16 small retailers from selling beer, despite an outcry from the booze industry and in tourism hotspots over the Muslim-majority country’s latest offensive against drinking.

The ban restricts the sale of beer and pre-mixed drinks - such as spirits with soft drinks - to large supermarkets only, outlawing sales in the country’s 16,000 minimarts and 55,000 other small shops. Hotels, restaurants and bars are unaffected.

There had been particular anxiety about how the ban might affect tourism on the Hindu-majority resort island of Bali.

However, Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel - who was shouted at during an ill-tempered meeting with community leaders in Bali last weekend - has now pledged to ease the restrictions on the island to ensure street vendors can still sell beer at the beach.