Bill Banning Alcoholic Drinks Drag On

Sentani (Antara Bali) - Debate in the Jayapura district legislative assembly on draft regulation banning sales of alcoholic drinks in that district dragged on for fear of cutback in regional income.

"The draft regulation would be put in the  agenda for the third session scheduled for next week," Yohanis Eluay, chairman of the Jayapura district legislative assembly, said here on Saturday.

Yohanis said banning sales of strong drinks would have no significant effect on the regional income  of the Jayapura regency, Papua.

"Sales of strong drinks are small, hardly having  contribution to the regional income," he said.

He said the draft regulation would not only regulate sales but also bans people from consuming strong drinks.

Earlier thousands of local people took to the street demanding ban on alcoholic drinks after cases of violence blamed on alcoholism.

Papuans are notorious for hard drinkers often triggering violence. (*/DWA)