The planned operation of the Helen Night Mart nightlife venue in Tegal City has sparked serious controversy after Commission II of the Tegal City Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) uncovered administrative licensing discrepancies. The findings emerged following a working meeting between Commission II, the Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Office (DPMPTSP), and the Office of Cooperatives, SMEs, and Trade on Thursday, July 2, 2026.
The Chairman of Commission II of the Tegal City DPRD, Zaenal Nurohman, revealed that the business management entity registered under PT Anak Muda Tegal still has a number of unresolved administrative issues, including clarity regarding the business owner. On the other hand, the presence of this entertainment venue has also triggered rejection from residents in the Margadana District area.
In a review of the Online Single Submission (OSS) system, the company was found to have applied for three categories of the Indonesian Standard Industrial Classification (KBLI), namely restaurants, performing arts, and bar activities. Zaenal emphasized that specifically for the bar activity classification, the business is categorized as having a medium-high risk level, so the licensing authority lies under the Central Java Provincial Government.
Based on the council's findings, the KBLI status for bar activities has not been officially verified to date. This indicates that the operational permit for that section has not yet been obtained by the business owner. Zaenal added that weaknesses in the OSS system, which allow business operators to declare document ownership without attaching complete physical proof, create a loophole that must be subjected to stricter oversight.
In addition to the KBLI aspect, Commission II also plans to conduct an in-depth review of the Building Approval (PBG). The focus of this investigation is based on the change in building function, which previously operated as a hotel and is now becoming a nightlife venue, requiring a comprehensive adjustment of building permits to ensure compliance with regional spatial planning regulations.
