The Bekasi Regency Government's plan to implement a zoning system for Nightlife Entertainment Venues (THM) has met with massive opposition from various segments of society, particularly religious leaders. This policy is outlined in the draft revision of Regional Regulation (Perda) No. 3 of 2016 concerning Tourism Implementation, which is deemed to potentially legalize activities considered contrary to community norms.
As a form of protest, hundreds of people consisting of Islamic scholars (ulama), habibs, ustazs, and Islamic boarding school students (santri) associated with the Islamic Ukhuwah Forum (Fukhis) held a demonstration at the Bekasi Regent's Office in Central Cikarang on Thursday (9/7/2026). The crowd demanded that Special Committee (Pansus) 14 of the Bekasi Regency Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) immediately halt the deliberation of the draft regional regulation.
The main criticism is directed at the removal of Article 47 paragraph (1), which contains a total ban on nightlife venues, and its planned replacement by Article 30 paragraph (2), which allows the operation of nightlife venues in industrial, commercial, and service areas. Although the new rule includes requirements for safe distances from residential areas and places of worship, religious figures firmly reject the localization system.
Rally coordinator Burhanuddin Abdullah emphasized that his group urges the local government to maintain the operational ban on entertainment venues such as discotheques, bars, and massage parlors. Instead, he encouraged the government to tighten sanctions against violations rather than giving legal space to such activities through a zoning system.
Responding to the wave of rejection, Ombi Hari Wibowo, a member of Pansus XIV of the Bekasi Regency DPRD, stated that the contested draft was merely an initial proposal from the Tourism Office and a consulting team. In response, the legislative body decided to temporarily suspend deliberations on the draft while awaiting further instructions from the house leadership.
