JAKARTA, Indonesia – Following a Trade Ministry regulation on alcoholic-beverage distribution supervision, Jakarta will begin prohibiting sales of alcoholic drinks at minimarkets and convenience stores across the city on April 16, according to an article in the Jakarta Post.

“In accordance with the Trade Ministry regulation, we will begin prohibiting the sales of alcoholic beverages [in minimarkets] next month. We have informed the owners and they have agreed to support the regulation,” Jakarta Cooperatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Trade Agency (KUKMP) head Joko Kundaryo told the publication.

Under the Trade Ministry regulation issued earlier this year, beverages with alcohol content ranging from 1% to 5% can only be sold in supermarkets and hypermarkets. Previously, minimarkets and convenience stores in the city could stock light alcoholic drinks in their racks. The agency will supervise the minimarkets and convenience stores and impose sanctions on any that continue to sell alcoholic beverages after April 16. Sanctions include revoking a store’s business license after three violations have been reported.

The ban, enacted in consideration of the “protection of morals and culture in society”, has faced protests not only from retailers, but also from antidrug activists. However, according to the Jakarta Post, minimarket and convenience store representatives said that they had no objections and agreed to comply with the regulation, already beginning the process of pulling alcoholic beverages from store shelves.

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