(Malang, 24th) In a quiet Indonesian village, residents watched as a truck loaded with giant tower speakers rumbled by, its bass strong enough to crack windows.
On Indonesia's Java Island, sound towers are ubiquitous, often playing electronic music and traditional folk song remixes at street parties—but they’ve triggered strong dissatisfaction among authorities and neighbors seeking peace and quiet.
Due to the severe disturbance caused by these sound systems, authorities have imposed restrictions on their use this month, while religious institutions have declared their excessive, destructive noise to be "haram" (forbidden under Islamic law).
"The sound blasts from 1 p.m. until 3 a.m. They play loud music and drink alcohol," said Ahmad Suliat, a resident of Anggetru Village, East Java, to AFP. "It’s really disturbing."
People in East Java have shared images on social media showing wall cracks, fallen roof tiles, and damaged shops due to the noise shockwaves, which locals call “sound horeg,” meaning “vibration.”
Public outcry online forced East Java authorities to issue new regulations this month, limiting noise decibel levels, and specifying the time and place for speaker use.
East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa said: "This is for reasons of health and safety. Noise must be controlled to avoid disturbing social peace and order."
Deafening noise has been proven to have negative health impacts, including increased risk of heart disease.
Indonesia’s sound towers have only become popular in the past decade or so, but have already had serious consequences. According to local media, this month a woman reportedly died of sudden cardiac arrest triggered by loud noise at a carnival; hearing problems have also increased among event participants.
The East Java government stipulates that fixed sound systems have a volume limit of 120 decibels, while mobile units used during parades or protests are limited to 85 decibels. Meanwhile, mobile units are banned near schools, hospitals, ambulances, and mosques during prayer times.
In July this year, the local Islamic Council issued a fatwa declaring that excessive, damaging noise at parties is forbidden by religion.
The fatwa stated: “Excessive use of sound systems, especially in wedding processions or other events, if it creates noise, disturbs road users, or causes people to neglect religious duties, is considered haram.”
Local residents commonly rent sound towers for weddings, circumcision ceremonies, and Independence Day celebrations, with events often lasting until dawn.
61-year-old Daini said that although her windows were cracked by a “sound horeg” event last year and had to be taped together, she still feels this is a local tradition that should be preserved.
“It doesn’t matter; people here like lively events.”
However, due to lax law enforcement by local authorities, speakers still blare beyond allowed limits.
AFP reporters at an event in East Java personally heard sound towers blasting music while authorities stood by and watched.
The World Health Organization points out that exposure to noise above 85 decibels can cause long-term hearing loss, while noise above 120 decibels can cause immediate harm. Some Indonesians have posted screenshots of mobile decibel tests showing tower sound levels as high as 130 decibels.
Sound tower operators argue they are meeting demand and generating local economic benefits.
David Steven Laksamana, a 40-year-old sound system renter in Malang, said: “I believe most people who hate ‘sound horeg’ are not locals. In Malang alone, tens of thousands of people depend on this industry for a living. This business drives the economy.”
However, most harassed residents dare not report complaints. It’s said that some sound tower owners will park their trucks outside a complainant’s home and play music for hours on end in retaliation.
Villager Ahmad said: “I never complain to the village chief; I just stay silent. I’m afraid of being intimidated.”
On Indonesia's Java Island, sound towers are ubiquitous, often playing electronic music and traditional folk song remixes at street parties—but they’ve triggered strong dissatisfaction among authorities and neighbors seeking peace and quiet.
Due to the severe disturbance caused by these sound systems, authorities have imposed restrictions on their use this month, while religious institutions have declared their excessive, destructive noise to be "haram" (forbidden under Islamic law).
"The sound blasts from 1 p.m. until 3 a.m. They play loud music and drink alcohol," said Ahmad Suliat, a resident of Anggetru Village, East Java, to AFP. "It’s really disturbing."
People in East Java have shared images on social media showing wall cracks, fallen roof tiles, and damaged shops due to the noise shockwaves, which locals call “sound horeg,” meaning “vibration.”
Public outcry online forced East Java authorities to issue new regulations this month, limiting noise decibel levels, and specifying the time and place for speaker use.
East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa said: "This is for reasons of health and safety. Noise must be controlled to avoid disturbing social peace and order."
Deafening noise has been proven to have negative health impacts, including increased risk of heart disease.
Indonesia’s sound towers have only become popular in the past decade or so, but have already had serious consequences. According to local media, this month a woman reportedly died of sudden cardiac arrest triggered by loud noise at a carnival; hearing problems have also increased among event participants.
The East Java government stipulates that fixed sound systems have a volume limit of 120 decibels, while mobile units used during parades or protests are limited to 85 decibels. Meanwhile, mobile units are banned near schools, hospitals, ambulances, and mosques during prayer times.
In July this year, the local Islamic Council issued a fatwa declaring that excessive, damaging noise at parties is forbidden by religion.
The fatwa stated: “Excessive use of sound systems, especially in wedding processions or other events, if it creates noise, disturbs road users, or causes people to neglect religious duties, is considered haram.”
Local residents commonly rent sound towers for weddings, circumcision ceremonies, and Independence Day celebrations, with events often lasting until dawn.
61-year-old Daini said that although her windows were cracked by a “sound horeg” event last year and had to be taped together, she still feels this is a local tradition that should be preserved.
“It doesn’t matter; people here like lively events.”
However, due to lax law enforcement by local authorities, speakers still blare beyond allowed limits.
AFP reporters at an event in East Java personally heard sound towers blasting music while authorities stood by and watched.
The World Health Organization points out that exposure to noise above 85 decibels can cause long-term hearing loss, while noise above 120 decibels can cause immediate harm. Some Indonesians have posted screenshots of mobile decibel tests showing tower sound levels as high as 130 decibels.
Sound tower operators argue they are meeting demand and generating local economic benefits.
David Steven Laksamana, a 40-year-old sound system renter in Malang, said: “I believe most people who hate ‘sound horeg’ are not locals. In Malang alone, tens of thousands of people depend on this industry for a living. This business drives the economy.”
However, most harassed residents dare not report complaints. It’s said that some sound tower owners will park their trucks outside a complainant’s home and play music for hours on end in retaliation.
Villager Ahmad said: “I never complain to the village chief; I just stay silent. I’m afraid of being intimidated.”