Indonesian MP Demands Stricter Alcohol Rules After Quran Challenge Prize Controversy

A member of Indonesia's parliament has strongly condemned an incident at a music festival where a challenge involving memorizing a Quranic verse offered alcoholic drinks as a prize. Fahira Idris, a legislator from Jakarta, called for a complete investigation into the matter, stating that a mere apology is insufficient.

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We will jointly monitor the case's developments. All facts must be revealed, all relevant parties examined, and anyone proven to have violated the law must face firm legal sanctions.

Beyond the alleged offense against religious beliefs, Idris urged authorities to examine the event's adherence to regulations concerning the sale of alcoholic beverages. She referenced a ministerial regulation that sets standards for direct sellers of alcohol, including licensing and age verification for consumers over 21.

Idris emphasized the need to hold all parties accountable, including the festival organizers, brand owners, booth operators, and any other involved entities. She argued that public events featuring alcohol promotions require serious attention during the permitting process. "We will jointly monitor the case's developments. All facts must be revealed, all relevant parties examined, and anyone proven to have violated the law must face firm legal sanctions," she stated.

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I also hope this case opens all our consciences, that it is time for our nation to have a law that regulates the production, distribution, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

The incident, Idris hopes, will serve as a catalyst for strengthening alcohol regulations in Indonesia. She believes a more comprehensive law is needed to cover all aspects of alcohol, from production to consumption. "I also hope this case opens all our consciences, that it is time for our nation to have a law that regulates the production, distribution, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages," she said.

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I strongly condemn it. We entrust the law enforcement process to the police and will escort it to completion in court.

She specifically condemned the act of using a Quranic verse memorization challenge as a prize for alcohol, calling it "crossing the line." Idris expressed confidence in the police investigation, which has already led to the detention of two individuals for questioning. She stressed that the investigation must be thorough, reconstructing the entire event and identifying all facilitators and providers of the prizes, not just the instigator of the challenge.

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It needs to be investigated who played a role, facilitated, provided the prizes, and enabled the action to take place.