The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) Faction of the Serang City Regional Legislative Council (DPRD) has expressed strong opposition to the Draft Regional Regulation (Raperda) on Tourism Implementation, which is deemed to potentially greenlight the operation of nightlife venues. This rejection is based on concerns over the proliferation of permits for discotheques, nightclubs, and bars in the area.
This political stance was officially delivered by the Deputy Chairperson of the PKS Faction of the Serang City DPRD, Erna Yuliawati, during a plenary meeting on the faction's general views held on Wednesday (29/7). According to her, the formulated tourism regulations should not clash with the religious values and local wisdom closely attached to Serang City as a "Madani" (civilized) City.
Erna reminded that the current regulation, namely Regional Regulation (Perda) No. 11 of 2019, already strictly prohibits nightlife venues. Therefore, the violations that are still rampant in the field should be addressed with stricter law enforcement and heavier sanctions by the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP), rather than being accommodated through a new regulation.
Specifically, PKS highlighted several clauses in the draft Raperda, such as Article 46 paragraph (2), paragraph (9), and Article 59. These articles are considered to open loopholes for the alcohol trade and nightclub operations, which are deemed contrary to the character of the region known as a city of Islamic students (santri) and scholars (ulama).
In addition to substantive issues, PKS also questioned the local government's step in prioritizing the discussion of this Raperda before finalizing the new Regional Tourism Development Master Plan (RIPPARDA). Given that Perda RIPPARDA No. 14 of 2014 will expire in 2025, the document is considered a mandatory primary blueprint before drafting other tourism policies.
