Just to add, as many have said previously - if it is against your religion or values to drink alcohol, then DON'T. No different to those that choose not to smoke. In fact I would argue that smoking is a far bigger issue in Indonesia than drinking.

Bawel - Well, the education and living standard has nothing to do with me or Europe. That is a problem your own government has to face. In fact a large amount of Indonesia's problems are due to lack of education due to a culture still living off old wives tales, a morally corrupt system & suspect religious 'teachings'. So are you saying we brought alcohol to the uneducated and let them run riot? it would seem then that alcohol and a crap education system are the fault of Europeans?

From my time in Papua I remember several regions being 'dry' but still in fighting took place over petty things. No alcohol involved from what I could see. Numerous times I have witnessed customs officers take passengers baggage and pour any alcohol on the floor before they boarded my aircraft. Perhaps there was a huge western funded underground market for alcohol?

Or Perhaps you could be in denial like your wonderful president? It's about time you stop using past foreign colonialism as an excuse for the 'ills' of Indonesia. Almost 70 years of Independance and counting.

Bowel

Many people like to have some drink - with their dinner, or relaxing or watching sport for instance. (Muslims and non Muslims) Bali has built a considerable industry based on the 3 -4 million overseas and about 5 million Indonesian visitors annually.

Most people see the availability of a drink in these circumstances as part of their holiday - part of the relaxation and that is part of their expectation when they go on holiday

If you remove that from the mix then a proportion of people would find an alternative destination - Malaysia, Thailand for example, this applies to Indonesians too - the result in even a 25% drop in visitors would be catastrophic not just for Bali but wider implications within Indonesia

If you want to present Indonesia as a modern majority Islamic nation, and you want to attract visitors to boost the economy then I am afraid some things you will have to suck on and this is one

My question now

Why cant the Muslims who do not want a drink just abstain?

@readd : I hereby appoint you as ambassador for alcohol drinking moderation campaign in Papua … Good luck sir …!

Who wants to be the in same position for North Sulawesi province ? It’s a vacant position.

Ha3x…

@blightboy : I don’t pretend to know what’s the solution of every problems ..

As for the dilemma of banning alcohol and it’s impact to tourism in Bali (or wherever it is ..) … actually the source of the problem is the lifestyle of the tourist itself (which mostly from rich liberal countries) ..

If you as the tourist don’t demand for alcohol drinks as part of tourism services then there is no dilemma for the local for restrict/banning it … so there is no dilemma and problem can be solved.

You can easily imagine what will happen to the local (poorer) society if the tourists demand gambling/casino … drugs/narcotics … cheap prostitutes … as prerequisite for a place to be tourist destination…. You are indirectly damaging them right?

If you bring good aspect of your culture to local society and leave the bad things behind then you help them very much …