Serang Regency Government Discovers 1,500 People in Online LGBT Communities

Serang (ANTARA) - The Serang Regency Government in Banten is preparing humanistic guidance measures following the discovery of 1,500 people in its jurisdiction who are members of online Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community groups.

Deputy Regent (Wabup) Serang Muhammad Najib Hamas said on Wednesday that the figure of thousands of people was based on reports from social observers in Serang Regency.

“According to reports from these observers, approximately 1,500 community members have been recorded in Serang Regency. This was done through online platforms, Instagram, and so on,” said Deputy Regent Najib.

In response to the large number of group members found, the Serang Regency Government has chosen to prioritise a persuasive approach. Najib has asked the relevant agencies to immediately step in to handle the communities that have already formed.

“For communities that have already formed, we have asked the relevant agencies, namely the Social Affairs Office and the Health Office, to provide guidance. It is hoped that through this educational approach they can return to a proper way of life, in line with their families’ expectations,” he said.

On the other hand, the Deputy Regent firmly prohibited the public and community organisations (ormas) from taking the law into their own hands in responding to the discovery of these communities.

He is currently consolidating community groups, religious scholars, and educators to work together in preventing the spread of LGBT through humanistic education, which he described as one of the non-military threats to sovereignty.