MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution has reaffirmed that the government will not tolerate business activities operating without valid permits or those that have the potential to disrupt security and public order (Kamtibmas).
Bobby said all business and investment activities in North Sumatra must comply with applicable laws and regulations and must benefit the community. In his view, enforcement of the rules must be carried out without exception, including against nightclubs that have caused problems among residents.
"If the permit has indeed been revoked and there is no longer any legal basis for the operation, then, of course, the business must not continue operating. We will take action in accordance with the applicable regulations," Bobby stressed.
He made the statement while receiving a report from Acting Langkat Regent Tiorita Br Surbakti concerning problems related to nightclubs in Langkat Regency, particularly in the
Batangserangan area, where alleged violations of applicable regulations have been identified.
Bobby received the report on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, in his office on the 10th floor of the North Sumatra Governor's Office, Jalan Diponegoro No. 30, Medan.
Bobby Calls for Review of Operating Permits
Bobby called on the Langkat Regency Government, together with the relevant authorities and institutions, to conduct a comprehensive review of the legal basis for the businesses in question. This includes operating permits, Building Approval (Persetujuan Bangunan Gedung/PBG), and whether land use complies with applicable spatial planning regulations.
According to Bobby, the government must examine all relevant aspects before taking action against business activities suspected of violating regulations. A comprehensive review is important to ensure that enforcement is based on a clear legal foundation and does not create new problems.
Bobby also warned the government against taking careless action involving nightclubs where fatalities had previously occurred. The government, he said, must not hastily grant operating permits to businesses with a problematic history without conducting a thorough assessment.
He added that supporting investment remains part of the government's efforts to promote economic growth. However, investment cannot be separated from compliance with regulations governing permits, spatial planning, environmental protection, security and public order.
"We support investment, but it must comply with regulations and benefit the community. If it does not comply with the rules and negatively affects the community, it must not be tolerated," he said.
Bobby subsequently called on the regional government to conduct a comprehensive investigation into spatial planning issues in the area concerned. The
Langkat Regency Government must ensure that land use conforms to its designated purpose and does not violate regulations governing the protection of agricultural land for food production or existing spatial planning policies.
The step is also important to ensure that business activities do not have broader impacts on the environment or residents living around the site.
REVIEW OF NIGHTCLUB PERMITS URGED: North Sumatra Governor
Bobby Nasution calls on the
Langkat Regency Government to review operating permits, Building Approval (PBG), compliance with spatial planning regulations, and coordination with security authorities. (PHOTO: Munawar Harahap)
Coordination with Military and Police to Be Strengthened
To support enforcement measures, Bobby called on the
Langkat Regency Government to strengthen coordination with the police and the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI). He expressed hope that all steps taken to address the issue would be carried out safely, orderly and in accordance with established procedures.
Bobby also commented on public demonstrations related to the nightclubs. He stressed that residents have the right to voice their concerns and demands, provided they comply with applicable regulations and maintain public order.
"If it is clearly an expression of the community's concerns, then, of course, we will listen. However, those concerns must be expressed in an orderly manner and must not compromise security," he said.
According to Bobby, the government must provide space for residents to raise objections and express their concerns. However, such expressions must remain orderly to prevent disruptions to security and public order.
Bobby again emphasized the importance of consistently enforcing regulations. In his view, the government must not selectively enforce the law against business activities.
"As a government, we must be able to distinguish which businesses have an impact on and provide benefits to the community and which activities instead create problems. Everything must be based on the applicable regulations," Bobby said.
BATANGSERANGAN NIGHTCLUB ALLEGEDLY REOPENED: Acting Langkat Regent Tiorita Br Surbakti reports on a nightclub in the
Batangserangan area that was allegedly reopened after previously being sealed by the
Langkat Regency Government together with Forkopimda. (PHOTO: Munawar Harahap)
Nightclub Allegedly Reopened After Being Sealed
Earlier, Acting Langkat Regent Tiorita Br Surbakti reported on problems involving a nightclub (Tempat Hiburan Malam/THM) in Langkat Regency. The
Langkat Regency Government, together with the regional leadership coordination forum (Forkopimda), had previously taken measures to shut down and seal the establishment.
Tiorita, however, reported that the establishment, which had already been sealed, was allegedly reopened. According to her, the government also found a change in the nature of the business from what was stated in its original permit. The establishment was initially registered as a family karaoke venue but later became a nightclub.
"After we carried out the sealing, the business was allegedly reopened. Initially, the permit was only applied for as a family karaoke venue, Sir. Over time, however, it became a nightclub (THM). We sealed the establishment, but the operators removed the seal. The business was allegedly reopened after the sealing. We have photographic and video documentation of this," Tiorita said.
She attended the meeting accompanied by several heads of regional government agencies (OPD) from Langkat.
Tiorita hopes that the North Sumatra provincial government will provide support to strengthen measures being taken by the
Langkat Regency Government in addressing the issue. She also wants to ensure that all business activities in Langkat Regency are conducted in accordance with applicable regulations.
In addition to the legal aspects, the Langkat Regency Government must also ensure the security and comfort of residents living around the site. Coordination among the regional government, security forces and relevant technical agencies is an important part of ensuring that enforcement measures are carried out in accordance with regulations.
The meeting was also attended by several officials from the North Sumatra provincial government. Bobby was accompanied by North Sumatra Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) Head Moettaqien Hasrimi; North Sumatra Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Agency (DPMPTSP) Head Nurbaiti Harahap; Head of the Legal Bureau of the
North Sumatra Provincial Government Secretariat Aprilla Haslantini Siregar; Head of the North Sumatra National Unity and Politics Agency (Kesbangpol) Mulyono; and President Director of PT Pembangunan Prasarana Sumut (PPSU) Ferry Indra.
The North Sumatra Provincial Government and the Langkat Regency Government will subsequently coordinate according to their respective authorities to ensure that the issue is handled based on applicable laws and regulations. (IDNC)
REPORTER:
Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR:
Fik Sagala