In Reply to: Also applies to warungs. posted by hooter on Thursday, 19. March 2015 at 09:32 Bali Time:
from balidiscovery.com
The Beach with No Beer
Surfers and Beach Traders Lament Plans to Ban Beer Sales on Bali's Beaches
Bali News: Bali, Indonesia, Bir Bintang, Beer Sales on Beach, Trade Ministry, Warung Tresni
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(3/15/2015)
Elements of Bali's tourism community are protesting a regulation from the Minister of Trade that will outlaw the sale of beer on Bali's beaches.
Beritabali.com reports that those opposed to Trade Ministry regulation No.06/M-DAG/PER/1/2015 outlawing the sale of beer on Bali's beaches will adversely affect the lower economic classes in Bali.
The regulation will forbid the sale of beer and other alcoholic beverages at minimarkets, warungs and convenience stores. Those wishing to buy beer will, once the rule is enforced, be compelled to purchase beer at supermarkets, restaurants and bars.
Joining tourism operators opposed to the 'beer ban' are also a number of Bali-based artists who are calling on the government not to outlaw the sale of beer, but to, instead, establish age limits for those allowed to purchase alcoholic beverages.
Piping, a surfer on Kuta Beach told beritabali.com: 'Wherever there are surfers, there is certain to be beer. Beer and surfing share a common identity; they can't be separated. I can't imagine a surfer that isn't holding a beer while surfing.'
Piping's comments were made at an open discussion with the topic 'What Will Happen When Beer Disappears from Bali's Beaches?' held at Warung Tresni in Denpasar on Friday, March 13, 2015.
It is Piping's view that beer with an alcohol content of less than 5% is unlikely to cause public drunkenness or brawls on the Island's beaches. He added that enjoying beer on a beach by tourists is only a part of preserving their physical stamina while swimming or surfing.
Continuing, Piping said: 'They (the tourists) usually by beer from traders on the beach carrying a ‘cool box.' Beer with only 5% alcohol content sand up until now has not cause brawls on the beach. Beer just helps surfers maintain their stamina.'
Meanwhile, a musician by the name of Remon attending the Denpasar forum said the government must be able to comprehend the impact of the ruling. He said he was not overly concerned if beer disappeared from Bali's beaches, but was more worried if tourists also disappear from the beach.
Remon interjected: 'Until now, small warungs in Bali usually sell beer. If the regulation of the Trade Ministry is implemented, I worry that our guests will disappear. We want an exemption from the enforcement of the Ministry's regulations.'
Another artists, Indrawan affirmed that the majority of Bali tourists enjoy alcoholic drinks such as beer. Because of this, he worries that beer will no be able to be sold openly on the Island.
Indrawan added: 'Don't compare Bali to other regions. Bali is special.'
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