TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan has revoked the Adikarya Wisata 2019 award honored to Colosseum Club 1001 on Monday, December 16.

The nightclub received the award for the Entertainment & Recreation - Night Club & Discotheque nomination, which was held at JW Marriot Hotel, Kuningan, South Jakarta, on December 6. The award annulment has just been announced by the city secretary Saefullah today afternoon.

“The team is not thorough, so the Adikarya Wisata award to Colosseum is annulled,” said Saefullah in a press conference at the City Hall on Monday, December 16.

He explained the award was handed by the city’s Tourism and Culture Agency, and the assessment team was neglected in the scoring for Colosseum.

The award delivery sparked controversy considering on October 10, the city’s narcotics agency recommended sanctions for the night entertainment venue following findings on illegal drug abuse. “BNPB reports its discovery, and that becomes the consideration,” Saefullah added.

Based on the recommendations, he went on, the city administration demanded Colosseum submit a written statement and beef up supervision of visitors.

“The award is given through a decree of the tourism body and used printed governor’s sign, rather than a direct one.”

Recently, the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) urged Anies Baswedan to reconsider the award delivery, which the group deemed potentially opening a gate for practices of indecency.

IMAM HAMDI