The sound of the bass that had been rattling the windows since nine in the morning had not yet subsided, even though the clock had moved past eleven in the evening. Outside, a celebration tent was still standing strong, complete with twinkling lights and a singer still singing songs. Inside the house, some neighbors may be holding back their anger, trying to close their eyes behind pillows that fail to muffle the noise.
This is a sight—and hearing—that is all too familiar in Indonesia. Wedding or circumcision celebrations that take up the road and turn on the sound system all day are often considered normal things. However, when the hubbub crosses the threshold of late night, a fundamental question must be asked: Where is the line between cultural tolerance and ego coercion?
A Clash of Two Sides: “Once in a Time” vs Right to Rest
Every time this issue surfaces in the public space, society is automatically divided into two opposing camps.
The first camp will defend itself with “guyub” and customary arguments. “It’s also called a neighbor who has intentions, only once in a while, you have to understand,” is the powerful sentence that is often thrown around. There is a kind of unwritten law that being a good neighbor means being prepared to listen to dangdut disco music or Malay pop songs for dozens of hours as a form of social solidarity.
However, the second camp, which usually consists of urban residents or those who value private space, sees this from the perspective of the most basic human right: the right to rest. For workers who have to get up at dawn, children who are taking exams, or parents who are sick, the sound of music blaring until midnight is no longer just “neighbor entertainment”, but noise pollution that is physically and mentally torturing.
Barren Regulations in the Face of “Pekewuh”
In written law, the rules regarding disturbance of environmental peace are actually very clear. Starting from articles in the Criminal Code regarding disturbing the peace at night, to various Regional Regulations (Perda) regarding Public Order. Legally, no one has the right to take over public space (such as a citizen’s street) and disturb the peace of others without consequences.
However, in the field, this written law is often barred by feelings of pekewuh (reluctance). Directly reprimanding a neighbor risks damaging years of social relationships. Reporting to the RT or RW often only ends with a simple appeal because the environmental administrator is caught in the same dilemma: feeling uncomfortable with residents who are happy.
In the end, noise pollution victims could only give in, rub their chests, and hope that the event would end soon.
Redefinition of “Guyub” in the Modern Era
We need to redefine what it means to be a “guyub” neighbor. Does unity mean we have to let one person’s ego harm dozens of other people around them? Certainly not. A healthy sense of togetherness is born from mutual respect for each other’s private boundaries.
Celebrating happiness—be it a child’s wedding or a circumcision celebration—is every family’s right. However, celebrating it wisely is an obligation as a social citizen. There are some sane compromises that should work:
1. Strict Time Limits: At 21.00 or a maximum of 22.00 WIB, the sound system volume must be reduced drastically or turned off completely.
2. Genuine Permission, Not Formalities: Asking permission from neighbors in the closest radius is not just handing over paper to be signed, but rather a sincere dialogue to hear their objections.
3. Switch to a Closed Building/Space: If the budget allows and the event is large scale, using a multi-purpose hall is the most respectful option to maintain a peaceful environment.
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A good celebration is one that leaves neighbors with blessings, not cursing in their hearts because sleep was taken away. It’s time for us to raise our neighborly standards. Tolerance should not be used as a weapon to force other people to accept our ego going too far.
Because, a cup of hot coffee in the morning will never be able to replace the sleep lost due to the sound of an unknown bass.
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