Jakarta Governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama has said that his administration is ready to use existing city regulations on liquor distribution as soon as the Trade Ministry issues a new regulation allowing it to do so.

Ahok, as quoted by beritajakarta.com, said that the distribution of liquor is currently being regulated by Bylaw No. 8/2007 on public order. 'We are waiting [for the new Trade Ministry regulation]. After that we will return to the city bylaw that used to regulate the distribution of liquor with an alcohol content of 5 percent and lower,' Ahok said.

The Trade Ministry previously announced that they would loosen liquor regulation as part of the economic stimulus package issued by the government on Sept. 9.

The regulation, set to be revised, is Trade Director General Regulation No. 04/PDN/PER/4/2015, which guides the implementation of the prohibition of liquor sales at minimarkets and supermarkets.

Under the city bylaw, liquor with alcohol content of 5 percent and lower is categorized into Group A of alcoholic beverages that according to article 4 of the Trade Ministry Regulation No. 20/2014, may be sold at minimarkets, supermarkets and hypermarkets.

Ahok said that he agreed that liquor sales should continue to be partly limited, and not just sold anywhere. He also expressed concern about rampant sales of bootleg liquor, which, he said, was dangerous for human health.

The new regulation is expected to hand authority over the control of liquor distribution to local governments. (bbn)