Phew… That was close!
According to reports, a total of 16 tourism regions in Bali are to be exempted from the central government policy banning the circulation and distribution of alcoholic beverages (Mikol) to certain retailers.
“Mikol sales can not be done haphazardly in all places,” said Bali Governor I Made Pastika, admitting that the tourism sector on the island relies heavily on the availability of alcohol.
To that end, the former Bali police chief said he would work to draw up local regulations in accordance with the new technical guidelines that have been issued – particularly protecting traditional alcoholic beverage production enterprises which have already become the livelihoods of many people in Bali.
Chairman of the Democratic Party DPRD Bali, I Wayan Adnyana stated that the regulations on alcohol issued by the Ministry of Trade would be very detrimental to Bali as a tourist destination. Moreover, there are many Balinese people who depend on this field. “This regulation reduces the income of the people of Bali,” he said.
In addition, said Adnyana, the regulation is unclear in its definition of what stores are still allowed to sell alcohol. “It does not explain clearly which kind of stores are eligible to sell alcohol – whether large retail stores, medium, or small.”
