4 Facts About the Controversy Surrounding Purwakarta Regent's Song 'Lalaki Langit', Leading to a Summons and Home Affairs Ministry Review

The Regent of Purwakarta, Saepul Bahri Binzein, familiarly known as Om Zein, has become a public spotlight after his song titled ‘Lalaki Langit, Lalanang Bejat’ sparked polemic. The Sundanese-language song has drawn criticism from various circles for lyrics considered degrading to women. The controversy has continued to unfold, resulting in a legal summons from a legal aid organisation, an open apology from Om Zein, an examination by the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the emergence of allegations of violating principles of propriety and decency. Here are four facts regarding the controversy surrounding the song. The controversy began after several excerpts of the song’s lyrics were deemed to contain elements of sexual objectification and degradation of women. Music academic from the Indonesian University of Education, Rita Tila, assessed that a work of art can indeed be perceived differently by each person. However, according to her, the main issue with the song lies in the choice of lyrics, which she considered inappropriate. ‘A work is relative, so what one person finds unpleasant might be pleasant to others. But perhaps it is not the song, but the lyrics that I disagree with,’ said Rita Tila. She stated that social criticism regarding women should be conveyed through more poetic diction without creating a degrading impression. ‘I am concerned, this is such a pity. So I disagree, it cannot be tolerated because this is not educational, the problem is he is a leader,’ she said. The controversy then continued when Jabar Bantuan Hukum issued a legal summons to Om Zein. The organisation assessed that the song ‘Lalaki Langit’ contains diction and narratives involving sexual objectification and degrading the dignity and worth of women. The General Chairperson of Jabar Bantuan Hukum, Riyan Bintana Hasan, stated that the results of a juridical review and legal semiotic analysis found content deemed problematic. ‘After conducting transcription, juridical review, and legal semiotic analysis of the lyrical content in the song, undeniable legal facts were found that the song contains diction, narrative, and substance that is misogynistic, degrades the existential degree of humans, and vulgarly degrades the dignity and worth of women,’ he said.