DENPASAR ~

Restrictions on the sale of liquor (alcohol) to the shopping center (supermarket) and franchises according to the Ministry of Trade received appreciation from various parties, but it is hoped will not harm the tourism industry in Bali.

“Regulation of the Ministry of Trade will be able to protect young people against the misuse of liquor,” said Chairman of Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPRD) Badung, Bali, I Nyoman Satria in Denpasar, on Saturday.

He said that alcohol abuse among young people is very concerning, which can be seen from the number of crimes from consuming drinks to cause a hangover.

“Drunk commonly happens among motorcycle gang members from consuming alcohol, causing anxiety among the public,” said I Nyoman Satria.

He expected the publication of the Regulation will not harm the tourism sector, such as hotels and restaurants that have potential to be the source of local revenue (PAD) Badung. “For that we need a dispensation to sell liquors to a certain level, because most of the consumption of liquors is foreign tourists who were enjoying a holiday on the island,” he said.

Head of Division of Trade and Industry (Disperindag) Bali, Ni Wayan Kusumawathi in separate occasions, said she had coordinated with Disperindag in regencies / city related to the prohibition of the sale of liquor in supermarkets.

Desperindag Bali also found 452 supermarkets or franchises still sell liquors at level of five percent (group A) during the review held at nine regencies / city.

“We found many supermarkets still selling alcohol,” Ni Wayan Kusumawathi said.

The number of supermarkets that still selling liquors are spread across nine regencies and one city, as many as 145 supermarkets in Badung, Denpasar City (118), Gianyar (112), Bangli (9), Klungkung (0), Tabanan (24), Karangasem (11 ), Buleleng (26), Jembrana (seven).