New Chapter for Asia Africa Cosplayers: Back in Action with Strict Rules
The historic Asia Africa Street area in Bandung is once again bustling with the presence of cosplayers. The Bandung City Culture and Tourism Office (Disbudpar) has ensured that this entertainment activity runs normally but under strict supervision, following the signing of a joint pledge by three main communities.
This step was taken to balance residents’ creativity with tourist comfort.
Head of Disbudpar Bandung City, Adi Junjunan Mustafa, emphasised that the agreement serves as the primary foundation for organising cosplayer activities to remain a tourism draw without causing public unrest.
On 10 March, Disbudpar invited coordinators from the three cosplayer communities to agree on field ethics standards. Adi explained that the points in the pledge focus on courteous service to visitors.
“The essence is that they entertain without forcing, maintain politeness, and do not engage in trapping or deceiving visitors,” Adi stated.
He added that this commitment is not merely a formality but a trust to uphold Bandung’s tourism image. The presence of cosplayers is a privilege granted by the city government that must be preserved.
“This is an opportunity given by the Mayor. If not maintained, those who suffer are not only the public but also the cosplayers themselves, as they could lose their space for expression,” he explained.
To ensure the agreement runs consistently, Disbudpar is collaborating with the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) for routine monitoring.
This supervision aims to filter out individuals who could potentially damage the city’s image. In addition to external oversight, the role of community coordinators is key in maintaining internal discipline.
“We emphasise that coordinators must continuously remind their members. This cannot be done just once or twice but must be ongoing, as it concerns Bandung City’s image,” Adi stressed.
The new agreement also regulates technical limits to prevent excessive crowding.
Each community is now limited to a maximum of 15 members acting in the field. If a coordinator is absent, a field representative must be present to keep activities under control.
Ahead of the Eid holiday, conditions in the Asia Africa area are reported to be conducive again. Adi hopes the cosplayers can utilise the surge in tourists to earn a living elegantly and orderly.
“They can express themselves while seeking sustenance from the creativity of their costumes. But the main thing remains the commitment to upholding the rules,” he said.
Finally, Adi also urged the public to participate in maintaining a conducive atmosphere in the area by kindly reminding if they encounter anything inappropriate in the field.