MUI East Java Urges Governor to Issue Regulation Banning 'Sound Horeg'
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) of East Java Province is urging the East Java Provincial Government to immediately issue a Governor’s Regulation (Pergub) that strictly prohibits the use of ‘sound horeg’. This demand follows the deaths of three East Java residents due to incidents related to ‘sound horeg’ throughout August 2026.
The Chairman of the MUI East Java Fatwa Division, KH Ma’ruf Khozin, stated that the issuance of a regulation with legally binding power has become an urgent necessity. According to him, such rules are required to prevent further loss of life resulting from ‘sound horeng’ activities.
“It is true, we are encouraging the East Java Provincial Government, specifically the Governor, to issue a regulation banning sound horeg, but there has been no response from the Governor yet,” Kiai Ma’ruf told Republika.co.id on Thursday (3/9/2026).
He assessed that ‘sound horeg’ activities have caused impacts that can no longer be tolerated. Furthermore, these activities do not only cause public disturbances but have also been linked to incidents resulting in fatalities.
Kiai Ma’ruf emphasised that MUI East Java has taken a firm stance against the use of ‘sound horeg’ from the beginning. MUI East Java has even issued a fatwa declaring ‘sound horeg’ activities as ‘haram’ (forbidden) based on several considerations, including medical and health aspects.
“From the start, MUI East Java has been firm that sound horeg is haram due to various considerations, including medical ones. However, we are not the executors responsible for supervision; that responsibility lies with the police,” he said.
He noted that field supervision regarding the use of ‘sound horeg’ currently tends to be weakening. Consequently, MUI East Java is requesting that the police tighten supervision and take enforcement action against violations.
“At present, I believe supervision of sound horeg is loosening,” he said.
Kiai Ma’ruf also highlighted that the East Java Provincial Government’s current policies are limited to circular letters or advisories. In his view, these instruments are not strong enough to completely halt the use of ‘sound horeg’.
He believes there is a need for regulation with permanent legal force that can serve as a basis for local governments and authorities to conduct supervision and enforcement.
“Previously, when we issued the haram fatwa, there were no victims; now, fatalities have occurred,” Kiai Ma’ruf explained.
He added that conditions in several regions across East Java are not uniform. Some regencies and cities are said to have taken firm steps by banning ‘sound horeg’, yet some areas have not yet implemented similar prohibitions.
According to Kiai Ma’ruf, these conditions need to be standardised through provincial-level policy. This would prevent regulatory discrepancies that allow ‘sound horeg’ to continue in certain territories.
He also touched upon allegations of political interests allowing the use of ‘sound horeg’ in certain areas to persist, particularly when related to campaign momentum. Therefore, MUI East Java is calling for all stakeholders, from local governments to law enforcement, to work in synergy to take decisive action.
“I believe that together with all stakeholders, a firm decision must be made,” concluded Kiai Ma’rif.