MUI Urges East Java Governor to Ban 'Sound Horeg' Following Three Fatalities

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) of East Java Province is urging the East Java Provincial Government to immediately issue a Governor’s Regulation (Pergub) strictly prohibiting the use of ‘sound horeg’. This demand follows a series of unfortunate incidents that resulted in the deaths of three residents across various regions throughout August.

The Chairman of MUI East Java for Fatwa, KH Ma’ruf Khozin, emphasised that a regulation at the Governor’s level is now highly urgent to prevent further loss of life. “It is true, we are encouraging and proposing to the East Java Provincial Government, and to the Governor, to issue a governor’s regulation banning sound horeg,” said Kiai Ma’ruf, as quoted from the official MUI East Java website on Thursday (3/9).

Kiai Ma’ruf stated that ‘sound horeg’ activities can no longer be tolerated, given their harmful impacts which have even claimed human lives. Kiai Ma’ruf reiterated his organisation’s stance regarding these activities.

“From the beginning, MUI East Java has been firm that sound horeg is haram (forbidden) based on various considerations, including medical ones. However, we are not the executors responsible for supervision; that lies with the police. Currently, I believe the supervision of sound horeg has become lax,” said Kiai Ma’ruf.