A wave of opposition to the proposed revision of the Draft Regional Regulation (Raperda) on tourism in Bekasi Regency is growing stronger. Hundreds of protesters from the Islamic Brotherhood Forum (Fukhis) held a demonstration at the Bekasi Regent's Office, Central Cikarang, on Thursday (9/7/2026), in strong protest against efforts to relax operational rules for nightlife venues.
The protesters, consisting of Islamic scholars (ulama), habibs, religious leaders, and Islamic students (santri), highlighted the planned deletion of Article 47 paragraph (1) of Regional Regulation No. 3 of 2016. The old regulation essentially completely banned nightlife venue operations. However, in the revised draft, a new article has emerged that opens opportunities for discotheques, karaoke bars, and massage parlors to operate under a zoning system in certain areas.
Action coordinator Burhanuddin Abdullah firmly rejected the zoning system. He emphasized that the local government should focus on tightening supervision and imposing strict sanctions against violations of social norms, rather than legalizing places considered sources of immorality. "We want the ban regulation to remain in place to maintain the region's peaceful environment and morality," he declared before the crowd.
Responding to the demands, Ombi Hari Wibowo, a member of the Special Committee (Pansus) XIV of the Bekasi Regency DPRD, clarified that the draft triggering the controversy was still an initial proposal from the Tourism Agency and not yet an official decision of the legislative body. He assured that his side had agreed to temporarily suspend discussions on the draft regulation.
The decision to pause the discussion was made to accommodate growing public aspirations. The Bekasi Regency DPRD stated its commitment to listening to input from various elements of society before taking further policy steps regarding this sensitive tourism regulation.
