West Java's Anti-LGBT Draft Bylaw and the Quest for Social Resilience
Every public policy is born from the hope of addressing issues that develop within society. However, a regulation is not only required to have a strong legal foundation but must also deliver tangible benefits. This perspective is appropriate for examining the discussion surrounding the Draft Regional Regulation (Raperda) on Anti-LGBT in West Java. The emerging debate shows that the public is not only questioning the content of the regulation but also its effectiveness in resolving the issues that prompted its creation.
The Provincial Government of West Java, together with the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD), is drafting a regulation that prohibits LGBT practices. Deputy Governor of West Java, Erwan Setiawan, stated that the regulation is expected to provide a firmer legal basis for maintaining social order in the region. This statement was published in an online media outlet on 10 July 2026.
This policy reflects the government’s attention to the aspirations of a segment of society that desires clearer rules. On the other hand, the formation of a regional regulation must be viewed as part of a public policy process that must meet the principles of legal certainty, benefit, and consistent applicability. A regulation is judged not only by the firmness of its formulation but also by its ability to provide measurable solutions.
A constitutional law expert once emphasised that the quality of a regulation is determined by the appropriateness of its content, the authority of its framers, and the certainty of its implementation. A good regulation must have a clear objective, not give rise to multiple interpretations, and be effectively enforceable. This view serves as a reminder that lawmaking is not merely about producing new norms but about creating an instrument that genuinely meets the needs of the community.
Sociological studies indicate that human behaviour is influenced by many factors. The family environment, education, digital media, social interactions, psychological conditions, and cultural changes are all interconnected in shaping a person’s behaviour. Therefore, a legal approach serves as a guide but cannot replace the functions of education and social guidance. A regulation that stands alone, without being supported by efforts to build a healthy environment, risks only addressing the visible impacts while the underlying causal factors continue to develop.
This serves as a point of collective reflection. Society needs policies that do not stop at the aspect of prohibition but also strengthen preventive measures. Character education from an early age, strengthening the function of the family, improving digital literacy, psychological support, and easily accessible consultation spaces are important parts of the effort to build social resilience. A comprehensive approach is more likely to produce sustainable change than an approach that relies solely on legal instruments.
Islamic values provide a moral foundation that aligns with these efforts. The Qur’an teaches the importance of safeguarding personal, family, and community honour. The story of the people of Prophet Lut, contained in Surah Al-A’raf verses 80–84, serves as a lesson about the importance of maintaining the moral boundaries set by Allah SWT. On the other hand, Allah SWT also commands that da’wah be carried out with wisdom and good counsel, as stated in Surah An-Nahl verse 125. This shows that conveying religious values cannot be separated from wisdom, dialogue, and guidance.
Prophet Muhammad SAW provided an example through the formation of a society with noble character by implementing comprehensive Islamic Sharia in all aspects of life. He said, ‘Indeed, I was sent to perfect noble character.’ (HR Ahmad). Faith-based education, exemplary conduct within the family, and concern for others form an inseparable foundation for building a good society. In Islamic history, community development has always taken place through the application of Islam in life, thereby simultaneously strengthening character, knowledge, and social responsibility.
Ultimately, the discussion of the West Java Anti-LGBT Draft Bylaw can be a momentum to strengthen the quality of public policy. Regulation has an important function as an enforcer of norms, but its effectiveness will be greater if accompanied by continuous guidance. Synergy between the government, families, educational institutions, religious leaders, and the community is key so that policy objectives do not stop at the administrative aspect but truly create a healthier environment by promoting good and preventing evil, embodying an Islamic personality, and being oriented towards the common good. Within this framework, evaluation of every policy must be continuously carried out as a form of concern so that the law is not only present as a rule but also as a means to build a better community life.