Purwakarta Regent Deemed Fit for Suspension Over Song Accused of Degrading Women

The controversy surrounding a Sundanese-language song titled ‘Lalaki Langit’ created by Purwakarta Regent Saepul Bahri Binzein, also known as Om Zein, continues to mount, with a former senior official suggesting the regent should be temporarily dismissed. Djohermansyah Djohan, a Professor of Government Science and former Director General of Regional Autonomy at the Ministry of Home Affairs, stated that a mere apology is not enough to resolve the issue. ‘This is not just a matter of apologising. A regional head is obliged to uphold ethics and norms in running the government,’ Djohermansyah said on Wednesday. He assessed that the song, which has been widely circulated, clearly violates these obligations, describing its content as vulgar and interpretable as a form of sexual harassment against women. Djohermansyah recommended that the Minister of Home Affairs impose an administrative sanction of temporary suspension for three months, during which the regent would receive direct coaching from the ministry on governmental ethics, leadership, culture, and gender perspectives. During this period, the regent would not carry out his duties or use state facilities, with the deputy regent acting as the caretaker. He emphasised that the goal is not merely punitive but to correct behaviour and prevent recurrence. However, he stressed that if any criminal elements are found, the legal process must proceed independently. Djohermansyah also pointed to this case as an indicator that the current system for coaching regional heads is not optimal, noting that issues of corruption and ethics persist despite existing programmes. He urged all regional heads to prioritise the dignity of their office over pursuing viral fame on social media and called on local bureaucracies to be more proactive in advising their leaders against potentially controversial actions.