Demak Police Examine Organisers and Horeg Sound Operators
Demak (ANTARA) - The Demak Resort Police in Central Java examined the organising committee of takbiran at a place of worship who intended to use illegal horeg sound systems on the takbir night welcoming Eid al-Fitr, as it violated a joint agreement not to use horeg sound systems.
“After two units of horeg sound systems along with their transport truck were secured by the Karanganyar Police Sector, we have requested statements from the committee and the horeg sound operators,” said the Head of Criminal Investigation at Demak Resort Police, Iptu Anggah Mardwi Pitriyono, in Demak on Friday.
He stated that besides the committee and horeg sound operators, the police also requested statements from representatives of the horeg sound or battle sound owners.
Meanwhile, Karanganyar Police Chief AKP Muhammad Syaifudin revealed the securing of two units of horeg sound systems and their transport truck, which were planned to be used on the takbir night in Ngaluran Village, Karanganyar Subdistrict, Demak Regency, on Thursday (19/3).
The enforcement, he said, was carried out after a resident report via the 110 Call Centre service regarding noise from the sound equipment testing.
“Residents felt disturbed by the loud noise from the sound check activities ahead of the takbir night. Then, a joint team from Demak Resort Police and Karanganyar Police Sector went to the location to carry out the crackdown. The police then secured two units of horeg sound systems along with the truck used to transport the equipment,” he said.
Previously, he said, the police along with village officials and residents had held a meeting to agree on limited use of sound systems to avoid disturbing the environment. However, that agreement was not adhered to by the organising committee.
“Because they ignored the agreement that had been made together, we took legal enforcement measures,” he said.
This action is also a precautionary step to maintain a conducive public security and order situation. Because in last year’s Lebaran celebrations, there were fights between groups in the Karanganyar and Bonang Subdistricts that resulted in fatalities, triggered by the use of horeg 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 committed to not using horeg sound systems, either for waking up for suhoor or on takbir night.
The secured horeg sound equipment was then taken to the 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 disturbances to environmental tranquillity, as well as Article 274 of the Criminal Code concerning the organisation of gatherings without permission.