(Jakarta, 25th) In a village in East Java, Indonesia, villagers helplessly watch as a truck loaded with several loudspeakers passes through their once-quiet village, the loudspeakers continuously emitting deafening bass sounds, loud enough to shake windows and roofs.
Trucks equipped with loudspeakers are very common on Java Island. During festivals or street celebrations, these loudspeaker trucks repeatedly play electronic music or traditional folk tunes. However, for residents who seek peace, this music is nothing but noise, or even a lethal weapon.
According to local media reports, in early August, a woman died of cardiac arrest during a carnival after excessive music from loudspeakers was played at the event. Furthermore, there has been an increase in cases of hearing problems among people attending such events.
Ahmad Surya, a resident of Ngantru village, East Java province, said: “From 1 p.m. to 3 a.m., the noise is nonstop. They play loud music and drink alcohol.”
The discontent among East Java residents towards these stacked loudspeakers has reached a boiling point. On social media, people complain that the vibrations from the loudspeakers cause walls to crack, roof tiles to fall off, and damage to shop fronts.
The strong online reaction recently forced the provincial government to order a limit on decibel volumes, ban loudspeaker trucks from coming near schools, hospitals, ambulances, and religious venues, and specify restrictions on speaker usage times.
A local Islamic committee also issued a fatwa in July, stating that producing excessive and destructive noise at gatherings is forbidden (haram) under religious law.
However, some Indonesians believe that stacked loudspeakers are a local tradition that should be preserved.
Danik, a 61-year-old resident of Ngantru, glanced at his window patched with tape and said: “The window cracked from sound vibrations during an event last year. But it doesn’t matter, people here love lively events.”
The East Java provincial government has set the maximum volume for sound systems at 120 decibels, while mobile sound equipment used in parades or demonstrations is limited to 85 decibels. However, due to lax local enforcement, loudspeaker usage still often exceeds these limits.
According to the World Health Organization, exposure to noise at or above 85 decibels for prolonged periods can cause hearing loss, and exposure to above 120 decibels can even cause immediate harm.
Some Indonesians have posted screenshots of sound level meters online, showing that loudspeakers at some events have reached as high as 130 decibels.
Loudspeaker operators argue that increasing the volume is necessary to support local businesses and generate income.
Laksamana, the owner of a loudspeaker rental company in Malang, East Java, said: “I believe most people who dislike stacked loudspeakers are not locals. In Malang alone, tens of thousands of people are employed in our industry – we’re helping the local economy grow.”
Trucks equipped with loudspeakers are very common on Java Island. During festivals or street celebrations, these loudspeaker trucks repeatedly play electronic music or traditional folk tunes. However, for residents who seek peace, this music is nothing but noise, or even a lethal weapon.
According to local media reports, in early August, a woman died of cardiac arrest during a carnival after excessive music from loudspeakers was played at the event. Furthermore, there has been an increase in cases of hearing problems among people attending such events.
Ahmad Surya, a resident of Ngantru village, East Java province, said: “From 1 p.m. to 3 a.m., the noise is nonstop. They play loud music and drink alcohol.”
The discontent among East Java residents towards these stacked loudspeakers has reached a boiling point. On social media, people complain that the vibrations from the loudspeakers cause walls to crack, roof tiles to fall off, and damage to shop fronts.
The strong online reaction recently forced the provincial government to order a limit on decibel volumes, ban loudspeaker trucks from coming near schools, hospitals, ambulances, and religious venues, and specify restrictions on speaker usage times.
A local Islamic committee also issued a fatwa in July, stating that producing excessive and destructive noise at gatherings is forbidden (haram) under religious law.
However, some Indonesians believe that stacked loudspeakers are a local tradition that should be preserved.
Danik, a 61-year-old resident of Ngantru, glanced at his window patched with tape and said: “The window cracked from sound vibrations during an event last year. But it doesn’t matter, people here love lively events.”
The East Java provincial government has set the maximum volume for sound systems at 120 decibels, while mobile sound equipment used in parades or demonstrations is limited to 85 decibels. However, due to lax local enforcement, loudspeaker usage still often exceeds these limits.
According to the World Health Organization, exposure to noise at or above 85 decibels for prolonged periods can cause hearing loss, and exposure to above 120 decibels can even cause immediate harm.
Some Indonesians have posted screenshots of sound level meters online, showing that loudspeakers at some events have reached as high as 130 decibels.
Loudspeaker operators argue that increasing the volume is necessary to support local businesses and generate income.
Laksamana, the owner of a loudspeaker rental company in Malang, East Java, said: “I believe most people who dislike stacked loudspeakers are not locals. In Malang alone, tens of thousands of people are employed in our industry – we’re helping the local economy grow.”