Pramono to Crack Down on Unlicensed Karaoke Venues in Kembangan
Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has declared that entertainment businesses violating regulations will face enforcement action during Ramadan. He made the statement when met in South Jakarta on Friday, 20 February 2026, in response to reports of unlicensed karaoke venues in the West Jakarta area.
Pramono said enforcement would be guided by existing gubernatorial regulations. He has instructed the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) and the Tourism Agency to tighten oversight of entertainment venues potentially in breach of the rules.
"Our reference point is Governor Regulation Number 18 of 2018. I have already asked Satpol PP and the Tourism Agency to handle the supervision aspect," he said on Friday afternoon. Governor Regulation Number 18 of 2018 governs the administration of tourism.
Pramono stressed that any violation of the regulation would be dealt with in accordance with prevailing rules. He assured that enforcement would be carried out without discrimination, particularly in the lead-up to and during Ramadan. "Whoever commits a violation of Governor Regulation Number 18 of 2018 will naturally face action," he said.
Residents have raised concerns about unlicensed karaoke shacks suspected of being used for illegal prostitution along Jalan Haji Lebar, Kembangan, West Jakarta. The semi-permanent stalls stand alongside the West Jakarta Outer Ring Road 2 toll road and have reportedly long been a source of unease in the surrounding neighbourhood.
Residents demonstrated their opposition by erecting banners around the area. The banners contained protests and demands for the illegal roadside stalls to be cleared immediately, as they were deemed to be disrupting order and the comfort of residential areas.
A local resident, Chandra (30), said the semi-permanent structures operated like nightlife entertainment venues. Speaking at the location on Thursday, he said karaoke activities took place almost daily, complete with singers. "Sometimes there are two singers at the stall — they do karaoke, they sing," Chandra said.
He said the activities were extremely disruptive to nearby residents as they continued late into the night. Music, particularly dangdut songs, could often be heard into the early hours. "Sometimes at 2 in the morning you can still hear dangdut music. Because it's right next to a residential area, it's really disturbing," he said.
Pramono said enforcement would be guided by existing gubernatorial regulations. He has instructed the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) and the Tourism Agency to tighten oversight of entertainment venues potentially in breach of the rules.
"Our reference point is Governor Regulation Number 18 of 2018. I have already asked Satpol PP and the Tourism Agency to handle the supervision aspect," he said on Friday afternoon. Governor Regulation Number 18 of 2018 governs the administration of tourism.
Pramono stressed that any violation of the regulation would be dealt with in accordance with prevailing rules. He assured that enforcement would be carried out without discrimination, particularly in the lead-up to and during Ramadan. "Whoever commits a violation of Governor Regulation Number 18 of 2018 will naturally face action," he said.
Residents have raised concerns about unlicensed karaoke shacks suspected of being used for illegal prostitution along Jalan Haji Lebar, Kembangan, West Jakarta. The semi-permanent stalls stand alongside the West Jakarta Outer Ring Road 2 toll road and have reportedly long been a source of unease in the surrounding neighbourhood.
Residents demonstrated their opposition by erecting banners around the area. The banners contained protests and demands for the illegal roadside stalls to be cleared immediately, as they were deemed to be disrupting order and the comfort of residential areas.
A local resident, Chandra (30), said the semi-permanent structures operated like nightlife entertainment venues. Speaking at the location on Thursday, he said karaoke activities took place almost daily, complete with singers. "Sometimes there are two singers at the stall — they do karaoke, they sing," Chandra said.
He said the activities were extremely disruptive to nearby residents as they continued late into the night. Music, particularly dangdut songs, could often be heard into the early hours. "Sometimes at 2 in the morning you can still hear dangdut music. Because it's right next to a residential area, it's really disturbing," he said.