Jakarta's Controversial Buddha Bar Ordered Closed

Jakarta Globe, Ulma Haryanto | September 01, 2010

Winning attitude: A group of Buddhists celebrates the Central Jakarta District Court district on Buddha Bar Wednesday. The court ordered a closure of Buddha Bar and demanded bar management PT Nireta Vista Creative, Jakarta Tourism Agency and Jakarta governor to pay Rp 1 billion in compensation to Buddhist community. The protests against innapropriate use of a religious icon to name an entertainment place that sells liquor began in 2009. Antara/Fanny Octavianus

Jakarta. Jakarta’s controversial Buddha Bar must immediately close, the Central Jakarta District Court ruled on Wednesday.

The court also ordered the owners, Nireta Vista Creative, as well as Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo and the Jakarta Tourism Agency to pay a fine totalling Rp 1 billion ($111,000) to the plaintiffs, the Anti-Buddha Bar Forum, for mental distress.

The forum fined the Nireta Vista Creative for blasphemy and violations of laws mandating respect for state-sanctioned religions.

The group has previously criticized the bar’s use of Buddha’s name and Buddhist decorations. The bar is part of an international chain of bars.

Judge FX Jiwo Santoso, who read the verdict, said Fauzi and the tourism agency had been fined for allowing the company to operate in Jakarta.

“The [Governor] did not respond pro-actively in the case and the agency has failed to consider the religious and cultural development in the society and ended up offending them,” Jiwo continued.

Defense lawyer Kurnia Girsang from Juniver Girsang & Partners told reporters after the verdict that the company would appeal.

“We disagree with the verdict, the issue here is about the brand name and should have been taken to the trade court not the civil court. However, the judges have their own consideration and we will respect that,” he said.

The courtroom was flooded with forum supporters who cheered when the verdict was read.

Several police officers were standing by during the hearing though the Betawi Brotherhood Forum (FBR) and the Red-and-White Troops ((Laskar Merah Putih), who made several appearances during previous hearings, were seen.