Indonesia’s Sound Horeg Economy: Freedom of Expression Versus Public Health and Order

An Indonesian cultural practice of stacking loudspeakers to produce extremely loud music, locally known as sound horeg (a Javanese expression for “vibrate”), has stirred controversy in East Java province. The practice began in the 1970s, but a recent major blow came from the Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI)’s East Java provincial chapter on 12 July 2025. In an edict, the MUI chapter declared the practice as “haram” (forbidden) for Muslims, with certain exceptions such as allowing it if the music’s volume is ‘reasonable’ and if it is not accompanied by practices that violate Islamic morality (such as alcohol consumption, erotic dances and immodest dressing). MUI produced the edict after a local resident filed a letter on 3 July, expressing his concern; reportedly, another 828 people petitioned online against sound horeg.

This problem is complex because it is related not only to the freedom of expression and religious norms or morality, but also involves the local economy, public health, and law enforcement. 

Sound horeg practices began when locals in East Java province, in particular Sumbersewu sub-district in Banyuwangi, increasingly adored Western rock and pop music in the 1970s. Their adulation of these music genres propelled growing demands for high-quality sound systems. Over time, local bands began to use those sound systems to express their talent and musical creativity, while others used them for community and family events, such as circumcision or wedding parties. Even government-funded street carnivals or those sponsored by local communities for social or religious occasions would use such systems. A ‘battle sound’ tradition grew, especially during Idul Fitri or Idul Adha (the two largest Muslim) festivities, when people chant Quranic verses or broadcast Islamic songs.

In regular ‘battle sound’ competitions, winners can gain fame and increase customer orders for the use of their sound systems, even from other neighbourhoods. For instance, a big sound horeg festival was organised in Malang, East Java, in 2014. Sound horeg regained its popularity after the COVID-19 pandemic, as people longed for outdoor entertainment. This spread to other parts of Java, including Central Java and even Jakarta. However, the practice in the latter areas is not as ubiquitous as it is in East Java.

The practice has triggered public opposition, despite its popularity. It is deemed unhealthy because the loud music can damage people’s hearing – health experts say that the maximum threshold for sound safety is 85 decibels, but many sound horeg systems go above 100 decibels. These loud sounds disturb many communities; there have been regular complaints. On 13 July 2025, a day after the MUI edict, a Malang municipality resident whose child was ill stormed into a group of people operating sound horeg for a cultural carnival, demanding they shut down their sound system for his child’s sake. He received a backlash from the operators and carnival participants, and was punched several times. Earlier, in a different incident, a teenager and a nine-year-old were injured after a sound system fell on them in Bondowoso, East Java.

This problem is complex because it is related not only to the freedom of expression and religious norms or morality, but also involves the local economy, public health, and law enforcement.

This is a tricky problem to solve, as the authorities realise that sound horeg cannot be banned outright. Many people benefit from the practice, especially those employed by sound horeg operators. In Greater Malang (comprising Malang municipality and Malang regency), there are apparently 1,200 such operators. Of these, 500 reportedly employ thousands of people. The amount of money people spend to hire a sound horeg is between two million and 75 million rupiah (US$121.53 and about US$4,557), substantial amounts given that East Java’s provincial minimum wage is just 2.3 million rupiah per month. This month, August, will be the busiest month as people celebrate Indonesia’s Independence Day (on the 17th); gross revenues can hit 500 million rupiah (US$30,379) for one operator in August alone. A total ban will result in many losing their livelihoods and curbing their freedoms of expression and creativity.

Such a multi-faceted problem needs all stakeholders – religious leaders, sound horeg business players, police and bureaucratic officials, health experts, and community figures – to come together.

The local government understands this. On 25 July 2025, the East Java provincial government established a task force to seek feedback from and coordinate various stakeholders. Four days later, following a coordination meeting in Jombang regency, including with the Association of Sound Horeg Firms, a fifteen-point agreement was reached. However, implementing the agreement could be a daunting task for the operators and law enforcers. For the former, the third point (to “always seek agreement from local residents whose houses the sound horeg entourage pass by, when producing sound above 85 decibels per 10 minutes) would be difficult to comply with. A sound horeg procession can use different routes, which could cover thousands of houses or neighbourhood units; it would be near impossible and inefficient to get the consent of all the affected households.

Enforcing the agreement would be problematic. Police cannot be constantly monitoring the sound horeg companies to ensure that they do not produce sounds exceeding 85 decibels. In any one regency, which covers a vast area, the number of police personnel is limited. While the police can charge a sound horeg owner with criminal charges (according to Article 503 of the Criminal Code), for instance if the sound is so loud that it “disturbs the night’s tranquility”, the threat of punishment is low. The penalty is three days in jail or a small fine of 225,000 rupiah (US$13.67) for the violators. Pursuing such cases might also cause social instability.   

The most effective way to ease the tension, albeit a slow one, might be for the provincial or local government to promote dialogue among the stakeholders and raise awareness among concerned parties, especially so that the sound horeg operators would perform their operations responsibly. Continuous efforts of appeal and education by the government are needed so that the responsible practice of sound horeg can be instilled in the operators’ minds.

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