MUI East Java Insulted by Sound Horeg Entrepreneur, Says LBH GP Ansor

A ‘sound horeg’ entrepreneur has come under scrutiny after referring to the East Java Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) as “goblok” (stupid) during a talk show on a television station. The remark was made in response to a fatwa issued by the East Java MUI which prohibits the use of ‘sound horeg’ (high-decibel sound systems).

Responding to the incident, the Chairman of the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) of the GP Ansor Central Leadership, H Dendy Zuhairil Finsa, expressed regret over the entrepreneur’s statement, which was deemed an insult to the East Java MUI. He noted that the MUI is a religious authority that deserves respect.

“It is truly regrettable that such a statement exists which insults a religious authority like the MUI. It is very unfortunate and improper. Regardless of whether it is directed at a religious authority or anyone else, insults should not be made,” Densely told Republika on Friday (11/9/2026).

Dendy explained that any legal action regarding the statement would depend on the parties who feel victimised, as insults of this nature are considered complaint-based offences.

“Regarding the legal process, this is a complaint-based offence. Therefore, it depends on the victims,” he said.

Nevertheless, Dendy believes that the MUI is unlikely to take the matter to the legal arena. He hopes the incident serves as a lesson for the entrepreneur involved.

“However, I am certain that the MUI will not report this to law enforcement. I believe this will serve as a good lesson for the entrepreneur who made the insult,” Dendy added.

Elsewhere, the Daily Secretary of the East Java MUI in charge of Fatwas, KH Nur Fauzi Palestin, also responded to the entrepreneur from Central Java. He confirmed that the entrepreneur, Setyo Budi Mularso, explicitly called the MUI institution “goblok.”

“Are we (MUI) angry or will we retaliate in the same tone? During the monthly meeting of the East Java MUI Daily Leadership Council, we discussed much more urgent matters, because the domain of the MUI as the ‘Khadimul Ummah’ (Servant of the People) is to produce fatwas for the welfare of the community, which has been our mission since the MUI was established,” Kiai Nur Fauzi told Republika.