DENPASAR ~

Bali Provincial Government plans to rearrange the sale of alcoholic beverages despite an exemption from the Ministry of Trade related to the implementation of the Ministry’s Regulation on the ban of its sale.

“We actually got the exception, but exception must be regulated so the beverages not to be sold carelessly in random places,” said Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika, in Denpasar on Tuesday.

Pastika did not deny that tourism is closely related to alcoholic beverages. However, with the implementation of the Regulation which is effectively started on 16 April 2015 related to the prohibition of selling alcoholic beverages class A, fixed sales should be well regulated.

“While the business of making traditional alcoholic beverages should still be protected as well because it is a people’s product,” said Pastika.

Meanwhile Lovina beach in Buleleng Regency, North Bali has received exception towards the liquor ban.

But the guidance and supervision for local merchants are still being carried out so that only specific alcoholic beverages sold to foreign tourists, and strictly prohibit selling to local people, especially under the age of 21 years old.

In Bali there are 16 tourism areas that receive an exemption towards the ban as long as the sale is given guidance and supervision by the relevant agencies to avoid the misuse of it.