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Ministry plans to give IP rights for ‘horeg’ sound system
The Law Ministry’s regional office in East Java argues that intellectual property rights can protect the horeg sound system, which was born out of the creative thought of the Indonesian people.
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Boats carrying a sound system commonly known as horeg are seen on Feb. 15, 2025, during a sound system battle event during the pre-Ramadan Javanese festival of Nyadran in Sidoarjo, East Java. (Shutterstock/Purwanto Rass)
The Law Ministry’s East Java regional office has raised a plan to grant intellectual property rights for the horeg sound system for its creative content and industrial design.
The plan was first conveyed by the ministry’s regional office head Haris Sukamto on April 21, who said that the horeg sound system was a name born from the creativity of the Indonesian people.
“We plan to honor those who have brought such innovative ideas to life through this style of sound system,” Haris said, as quoted by kompas.com.
The horeg sound system, which means “to move” or “vibrate” in East Java, is marked by a stack of loudspeakers carried on a truck to deliver loud music that can shake walls.
Horeg has long been part of weddings, street parties and religious gatherings.
Muzahidin, owner of Brewog Studio in Blitar regency, East Java that operates horeg, welcomed the idea.
“We see this as a good step forward,” Muzahidin said on Thursday, as quoted by kompas.com. “This could lead to better recognition and regulation of how horeg evolves and is implemented.”
He added that he would be open to discuss more with legal authorities about IP rights for the sound system.
Read also: It might get loud: How 'horeg' sound systems rock East Java and beyond
The plan for the IP rights stirred public debate, with a public poll held by Surabaya-based radio station Suara Surabaya on Thursday showing that 63 percent of respondents oppose granting the rights for the horeg sound system.
While local communities in the areas where the trend started rarely voice complaints, horeg has faced criticism for causing noise pollution. In Malang and Blitar, for instance, there are rules against loudspeakers being used on the streets in a bid to protect local neighborhoods from loud noises.
Some users on social media also slammed the horeg trend after videos went viral showing the dismantling of road signs, railings on bridges and house fences to make way for the trucks carrying the oversized loads.
Surabaya-based artist Heri Lentho urged the Law Ministry to study the matter thoroughly before making any decision, as there are still people misusing the sound system.
“If the minister wants to give IP rights, there are still traditional art forms such as reog that are more culturally rooted. In contrast, horeg sound has sparked criticism in some areas,” Heri said, as quoted by Suara Surabaya.
Despite the criticism, horeg has made its way into Jakarta, as some of the biggest names in the business, including Muzahidin’s Brewog, were invited to the inauguration of President Prabowo Subianto on Oct. 20, 2024.
