DENPASAR – Bali Governor Wayan Koster has declared on Monday (22/2/2021) that Balinese traditional liquor was no longer illegal. He emphasized that Balinese arak and other Balinese fermented/distilled drinks can now be produced legally.
The statement was based on the government regulation (PP) no 49/2021 and Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No 10/2021 on investment field. Both regulation are the implementation of Omnibus Law No 11/ 2020 on Job Creation.
Koster said that the Presidential Regulation give protection to the production of Arak Bali, which mostly done in traditional way. “The Presidential Decree strengthens the existence of Bali Governor Regulation No.1 of 2020 concerning Management of Balinese Fermented Drinks and/or Distillations,” he said.
He stated that the new regulation of the liquor industry containing alcohol, wine alcohol and malt is an open business field for new investment in Bali. This latest regulation is a response to the Bali Governor’s efforts to protect Balinese local alcoholic beverages. Through the letter of the Governor of Bali Number: 530/2520 / Ind / Disdagperin, dated April 24, 2019, the Governor submitted a request for revised facilitation for the development of the traditional liquor industry in Bali to increase the income of rural communities in Bali.
In the future, Koster will take a policy in developing industrial business along with expanding the business of Balinese fermented and / or distilled drinks. This effort is carried out through the development of Small and Medium Industries (IKM) in arak craftsmen centers. This strategy is to increase the economic value of the people in order to improve people’s welfare.
“To maintain the typical Balinese fermentation and / or distillation process that has been carried out traditionally and from generation to generation as well as to maintain public trust in Balinese traditional drinks, production process practices that are not in accordance with traditional processes will be prohibited,” he said.
“On behalf of the Government and Balinese, I would like to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ir. Joko Widodo who has issued the Presidential Decree No.10 / 2021,” Koster said. (Kanalbali/ACH)
