Islamic, Betawi groups rally in support of Anies' goal to give up beer company shares

DKI JAKARTA - JAKARTA. A number of Islamic and Betawi organizations staged a rally on Friday to support Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan’s efforts to relinquish the Jakarta administration’s shares in beer firm PT Delta Djakarta.

The Central Jakarta Police deployed some 900 personnel to secure the rally, which was held by members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI), Islam Defender Troop (LPI) and Jawara Betawi in front of the City Council building on Jl. Kebon Sirih in Central Jakarta. 

The Jakarta provincial government has owned a 26.25 percent share in the firm since 1970.

Relinquishing ownership in the beer producer was part of Anies’ campaign promise in the 2017 gubernatorial election, reportedly to win the vote of conservative Muslims.

However, Anies’ recommendation to release the shares has been opposed by some members of the City Council, with speaker Prasetyo Edi Marsudi arguing that they contributed significantly to the capital’s income.

Anies countered the claim by saying that the shares contributed as much notorious night club and hotel Alexis before it was closed down in March 2018.

“Jakarta receives around Rp 38 billion [US$2.6 million] in dividends from the shares; that is similar to the tax paid by Alexis, around Rp 36 billion,” Anies said in Pondok Labu, South Jakarta.

He added that Jakarta could gain Rp 1.2 trillion in hard cash by selling its shares in Delta.