Jakarta's Controversial Buddha Bar Ordered Closed
Ulma Haryanto | September 01, 2010
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393979@tempodulu: Agree... it's a sin to pay $15 for a Bintang.. :-).
@dewi: WTF?????????
Geezzz everyone is so sensitive these days - especially when it comes to religion. Get a life, will ya!!
In a "normal" country there's nothing controversial about Buddha Bar - except the extortionate bar prices of course!
Dewi68... I don't know what is worse? Your annihilation of the English language? Or the fact that I have been here so long that I think I understand what you mean? Ampuuuun.
The statues of the different Buddhas I have seen all show him as a rather fat, portly, happy individual who quite obviously enjoys good food and the odd drink.
I think it is a great compliment to the man that he is revered in such a way.
As such and to ensure that nobody feels left out the Government should immediately sponsor the opening of a Jesus Bar, a Mohammed Bar, a Ganesh Bar (the most appropriate Hindu god I thought).
Now, how cool would that be ?
It is said “International chain bar” Mr Judge and it has never happen the Budha Bar chain country got the problem. This put Indonesia from the list of world wide chain, I mean whatever. I don’t understand, if we said we went into the global economically, are you sure this kind of shallow decision can compete? Zero knowledge, empty head.
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.
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