BREAKING NEWS

Indonesian Islamic parties seek ban on alcohol consumption

Two Islamic parties have proposed legislation that would ban all consumption of alcoholic drinks and bring jail terms of up to two years for offenders in Indonesia, home to the world's largest Muslim population.

It was not immediately clear how much support there would be for the parties' bill put to parliament, although previous moves to crack down on alcohol consumption have been seen as posturing to appeal to voters before the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

A lawmaker for one of the parties said the bill, which could become law as early as the end of this year, was driven by concern for people's health rather than any ideological motives.

"This is not a religious or ideological issue," Abdul Hakim of the Prosperous Justice Party told Reuters. "This is purely for the protection of the children of the nation."