Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Police in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, shut down 38 unlicensed liquor stores and confiscated 2,883 bottles of alcoholic beverages during a sweep operation across the region conducted on October 30-31. The crackdown followed a violent incident in which two Islamic boarding school students were assaulted by a group of intoxicated men on October 23.
According to the Yogyakarta Regional Police, the stores were sealed for operating without the required permits, and thousands of bottles of alcohol, categorized in Classes A, B, and C, were seized. The operation involved regional police and the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) at both provincial and municipal levels.
Yogyakarta Police Chief Inspector General Suwondo Nainggolan stated that the effort to monitor and control alcohol sales in Yogyakarta will continue to maintain public safety. “We will ensure that after these closures, no businesses reopen illicitly. Monitoring mechanisms are in place,” Suwondo said after a coordination meeting on alcohol control held at Yogyakarta Police Headquarters on Friday, November 1.
The meeting also addressed new tactics to curb illegal alcohol sales, including online sales and delivery services, which are prohibited under Yogyakarta’s Governor Instruction No. 5/2024 on Alcohol Control, recently signed by Sultan Hamengku Buwono X.
In a separate operation, Yogyakarta City Police and Satpol PP seized an additional 407 bottles of unlicensed alcohol in raids targeting liquor stores, cafes, and restaurants along Parangtritis Road in Mergangsan, Yogyakarta City.
Yogyakarta City Police’s Public Relations Head, AKP Sujarwo stated that the raids focused on verifying permits, including Business Identification Numbers (NIB), Direct Seller Certificates (SPKL), and Retailer Certificates (SKP) for alcohol vendors in the area.
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Yogyakarta City Police Chief Commissioner Aditya Surya Dharma emphasized that the joint operation with the city’s Satpol PP will continue citywide. “The focus is on businesses selling alcohol without proper licensing or those awaiting permit approval,” Aditya explained on Friday.
Aditya added that businesses found lacking proper permits will be sealed until they meet licensing requirements. “We’re closing these businesses initially, marked with police tape, while they complete their permits. Fully licensed establishments, however, will not be penalized,” he clarified.
For cafes and restaurants serving alcohol without appropriate permits, only the alcohol section will be sealed, while other parts of the business may continue operating as usual.
“Inspections will cover all of Yogyakarta City and extend throughout the Yogyakarta Regional Police jurisdiction. Sanctions, including potential license revocations, are being considered in collaboration with the Yogyakarta city government,” Aditya said.
Authorities emphasized that the liquor sweep operation and the crackdown on illegal alcohol sales is part of a broader effort to maintain public order and reduce alcohol-related incidents, underscoring their commitment to strict enforcement and collaboration with local governments to address community safety concerns.
(Raidi/Agung)
