Indonesia’s 130-decibel ‘Sound Horeg’ Trucks: A Cultural Phenomenon or a Disturbance to the Ears?

MALANG, East Java: When a procession of approximately 30 trucks entered the small agricultural community of Jeru in Malang regency last month, residents emerged from their homes with a mixture of excitement and concern on their faces. The trucks, known as ‘sound horegs’, have become a booming business in the region, providing mobile entertainment with near-deafening 130-decibel levels. However, the noise from these trucks has exceeded safety limits, causing structural damage to homes and prompting complaints from residents and local officials alike. Some authorities have even gone as far as to label the trucks as ‘sinful’.