Demak Police Examine Committee and Sound System Operators for Illegal Takbiran Night Use

Demak Resort Police in Central Java examined the organising committee of a place of worship that planned to use illegal sound systems during the takbiran night to welcome Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah this year. The police action was taken due to suspected violation of a joint agreement not to use illegal sound systems. The illegal sound system equipment was also secured by the police. “After two units of illegal sound systems along with their transporting truck were secured by the Karanganyar Police Sector, we have requested statements from the committee and the sound system operators,” said the Head of Criminal Investigation at Demak Resort Police, Iptu Anggah Mardwi Pitriyono, on Friday (20/3). He stated that in addition to the committee and sound system operators, the police also requested statements from representatives of the sound system owners or battle sound. Meanwhile, Karanganyar Police Sector Chief AKP Muhammad Syaifudin revealed the securing of two units of illegal sound systems and their transporting truck, which were planned to be used on takbiran night in Ngaluran Village, Karanganyar Subdistrict, Demak Regency, on Thursday (19/3). The enforcement, he said, was carried out after reports from residents via the 110 Call Center service regarding noise from the sound equipment testing. “Residents felt disturbed by the loud noise from the sound check activities ahead of takbiran night. Then, a joint team from Demak Resort Police and Karanganyar Police Sector visited the location to carry out order enforcement. The police then secured two units of illegal sound systems along with the truck used to transport the equipment,” he said. Previously, he added, the police along with village officials and residents had held a meeting to agree on limited use of sound systems to not disturb the environment. However, that agreement was not adhered to by the organising committee. “Because they did not heed the agreement that had been made together, we took legal enforcement steps,” he said. The action is also a preventive measure to keep the public security and order situation conducive. Because in the previous Eid celebrations, there were fights between groups in the Karanganyar and Bonang Subdistricts that resulted in fatalities triggered by the use of illegal sound systems accompanied by alcohol parties. In addition, this enforcement is in line with the agreement of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) elements in the “Jogo Demak” declaration, where all elements commit to not using illegal sound systems, either for waking up for suhoor or on takbiran night. The secured illegal sound system equipment was then taken to Demak Resort Police Headquarters for further legal proceedings. The committee or event organisers could potentially be charged under Article 265 of the Criminal Code regarding disturbance of environmental peace, and Article 274 of the Criminal Code regarding organising crowds without permission.