Discotheque in Semarang and It’s Social Consequences, 1970-1998

A. Introduction

In general, the Indonesian music during the reign of President Sukarno (1945-1966) did not have much variation and so good development. This is due to the influence of political manifestations declared by President Sukarno in 1959 and the issuance of Presidential Decree (Presidential Decree) No. 11 of 1963 concerning Eradication of Subversion Activities. After Soekarno collapsed, an attitude of openness towards foreign culture began to be carried out by the New Order government (Mulyadi, 2009). This openness then also influences changes in the interests of art and culture. The trend of disco music and other Western music goes hand in hand with the loosening of government policies towards the consumption of Western culture. 

This policy apparently also influenced Semarang as the capital of Central Java. The Semarang’s region which is a crossing area between two metropolitan cities namely Jakarta and Surabaya is very easy to accept the changes that occur, both in terms of socio-economic and socio-cultural. Since the oil boom that hit Indonesia in the 1970s, foreign investors have been competing to invest (Thalib, 1972, p. 80). This event also had an impact on socio-economic growth as did industry, transportation, animal husbandry, and fisheries. The number of foreigners who come triggers the growth of the entertainment industry to develop. In order to support economic aspects, the average community activity then moves to the trade and service sectors. In terms of social culture, the condition of art and culture in Semarang both traditional and modern during the New Order experienced their respective dynamics. However, the New Order government's economic policy on Foreign Investment (PMA) since 1967 opened a very wide door for Western culture to grow and develop (Winters, 1999). The wave of modern cultural art from the West such as Keroncong, Rock n Roll, Disco Music, and Kejang Dance caused the young generation in Semarang to turn their interest towards traditional cultural arts performances. 

Disco music which is one of the products of Western culture, was originally played in the homes of the elite as an accompaniment to dance. Genre This music is considered to represent a modern image and become a trend that is rapidly developing in the midst of the general public. This certainly opens up opportunities for entertainment venues entrepreneurs to facilitate disco music lovers by establishing Discobar, Night Club, and Discotheque. These three places differ in terms of area, facilities, and sound system strength. Discotheque is the biggest facility to accommodate visitors and has the most complete facilities among the three. Shinta came to be known as the first discotheque in Semarang which was established in the Djohar Shopping Center on January 10, 1970 (“Casino,” 1969). The emergence of Shinta triggered the emergence of dozens of other discotheques in Semarang in the period 1970-1998.

Places that were originally established means to enjoy entertainment and disco music then gradually changed their function to become places to get drunk. Then it coverted into prostitution practices, and ecstasy circulation of narcotics. No wonder the problems of violence, sexuality transmission diseases, and drug dependence were closely related to the presence in the discotheque environment. The large circulation of money also attracted unscrupulous law enforcement agencies to carried out the practice of "freezing" of discotheque business and the circulation of narcotics that occurred in it. The Government of Semarang then tries to solve these problems with pre-emptive and preventive efforts. However, this effort was felt to be ineffective in unraveling social problems which were increasingly worrisome. The government and law enforcement officials finally took repressive-coercive measures as a last resort to cut the growth of various crimes in the discotheque environment.

A study which has previously conducted in the period of the Indonesia’s discotheques, Yoland (2012) under the title "Development of the Tanamur Discotheque in Jakarta in 1970-2005". His work has become a reference for subjects that discuss discotheques, both popular and academic writing used as sources about the roots of the emergence of discotheques in Indonesia by national media. However, Jakarta as the focus of research, actually provides opportunities for other researchers from various regions to discuss discotheques deeper. It covers several place dimensions, including Semarang.

Depart from the description which has been mentioned, it arises interesting problems to be studied. The problems include how the development of the discotheque in Semarang in 1970-1998; what are the social consequences of disco activity; how the City Governmest took efforts to overcome the social problems of the development of the discotheque.

B. Development of Disco in Semarang 

The emergence of discos in Semarang is inseparable from the development of disco music trends that have plagued young people. Disco music is able to steal the attention of music lovers, especially modern urban society and has become a social phenomenon since the 1970s. Starting from Discobar which appeared before 1970. Discobar is a combination of two words namely "disco" and "bar" that appear in hotels such as Plaza Hotel and Dibya Puri. As the public's enthusiasm for disco music increased, Discobar was considered unable to accommodate the number of visitors who came. The area of the discobar room is deemed inadequate and cannot accommodate the visitors who are becoming increasingly bulky. 

The night entertainment entrepreneurs then opened a new entertainment facility with a wider room than Discobar. This place came to be known as the Night Club (A.W. Marsum, 2004, p. 4). The famous night club in Semarang in the 1970s to 1980s was located at Jalan Pemuda 21B, Troycana. Party events held at Troycana are well conceptualized and feature certain themes such as Hawaiian Night. There is also a striptease performance (strip dance) whose performance is always awaited by visitors (“Jaring,” 1989). In addition to striptease dancers, several other professions later emerged such as Disc Jockey (DJ), Hostess (Pramuria), and "Bartender". Disc Jockey (DJ) plays a role in collaborating various types of disco music that are arranged into music that sounds interactive from one event to another; hostess (hostess) has the duty to accompany the guests and make the visitors continue to spend their money in the discotheque; bartenders are tasked with dispensing alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (Liyansyah, 2009, pp. 9-10), please refer to Picture 1. The discotheque then appeared along with the growth of the Discobar and Night Club buildings in the city of Semarang. Discotheque rooms are generally wider than Discobar and night clubs. The sound system used is certainly more powerful, so the music playing sounds so loud. The first discotheque in Semarang was Shinta. On January 10, 1970, Shinta Diskotek was formalized under the auspices of PT. Sarinah DSI Semarang, which is in the highest ranks, is occupied by ABRI officers (“Casino,” 1969). Shinta's existence turned out to trigger the emergence of other disco buildings. During the 1970-1990s, night entertainment entrepreneurs competed vigorously in this business. Some discotheques that have been in Semarang include Canasta in the area of Agus Salim Street, Sharks Kencana in the entertainment area of Tirta Ria Tanjung Mas, Ming Palace in the Metro Hotel, and a night club in the Sky Garden Hotel located in the Gombel Region, Stardust which is located in the elite areas of Tanah Mas, Lambada, Studio One, Venus, Scorpio, Super Star, Pure Music (MM), and Siliwangi Dance Center (SPD).

Picture 1. Striptease performance in Troycana. 

Source: Suara Merdeka, 13 April 1971.

These places of night entertainment that are thick with the nuances of freedom then cause social consequences (Moesono, 1995, p. 45). Various problems then occur such as alcoholism, violence, covert prostitution, "banning", bribery, and dependence on narcotics. All are closely related to the discotheque environment. Not surprisingly, the negative aspects that arise from the existence of this discotheque then have an impact on increasing crime rates in the city of Semarang. 

C. Social Effects of Discotheque in Semarang, 1970-1998

In the early 1970s, nightclubs such as discotheques could only be enjoyed by adults. However, when disco music trends intensified in the 1980s, young people began to fill nightclubs. Various forms of social deviations and acts of crime then occur. This is inseparable from situational pressure as a trigger factor (Darma, 1996, p. 76).

The various problems that then arise from discotheque activities include; First, the excessive consumption of liquor makes the audience get drunk. bring out the original feeling when swaying. However, alcoholic drinks can be a factor in the criminality, especially acts of violence such as fighting (Kartono, 2002); secondly, free sex occurs because of the offer of eroticism and sexual stimulation that are offered by discotheque in a random and vulgar way. The discotheque then becomes a place for discotheque visitors to channel their sexual desires. This behavior is considered to be deviant because it has exceeded the limits of obligations, demands, rules, conditions, and feelings of shame (Desmita, 2005, p. 17); third, the practice of "freezing" carried out by unscrupulous officers. Beginning with the establishment of licensing for its establishment, various bribery practices are common among discotheque entrepreneurs. Continues on the use of "elements" of the Armed Forces which are used to secure business from various kinds of disturbances. Thugs are also involved to expedite operations with the aim of not getting interference from other groups of thugs. Even many of these unscrupulous officers are also used by ecstasy cities to smooth out the illicit businesses that they run in the discotheque (Suara Merdeka, 17 Oktober 1996).

Seeing these three problems, it is not surprising that the discotheque is a place that is seen closely with the world of crime. Violence in the discotheque environment arises from two orientations namely economic orientation and psychological orientation. From an economic point of view, violence committed by individuals or groups arises because of financial problems that coincide it, so choose the path of committing acts of violence such as theft by violence (robbery), robbery, extortion / bullying, and legalization to meet their needs. Meanwhile, violence that arises from psychological orientation is caused by mental disorders, that is someone who has an irritable mentality, is easily angry, or even because of sexual disorientation (Djatmika, 1987, p. 574). An example of violence arising from an economic orientation is extortion involving 10 young men in Ramayana Billiards and Canasta Disco in April 1977. The police succeeded in arresting the perpetrators and seizing sharp weapons used to blackmail (“Mau,” 1977). Evidence of violence arising from a psychological orientation is an example of a stabbing case that happened to the victim named Benny Sanjaya in November 1986. The victim was stabbed badly by two men he did not know because the jealous actor saw the victim go home together with a hostess named Diana (“Pulang,” 1986 ).

The tendency of promiscuity conducted by disco lovers makes it easier to transmit venereal disease and HIV / AIDS. Drunken conditions that make a person tend to lose control and awareness. This unconscious state prevents anticipation through the use of contraceptives as a medium of prevention from transmission of venereal disease and HIV / AIDS as shown in Table 1. 

Source: Sub. PMS UPF Dermatology & Venereology Specialis, Central Hospital of dr. Kariadi, 1991.

From the period 1986-1990, Gonorrhea became a venereal disease that suffered by many Semarang residents. For four years, General Hospital dr. Kariadi has handled 1547 patients with Gonorrhea. Sunan Kuning localization, discotheques, transvestite bases such as the KB Park and the Berok Bridge, "plus-plus" salons, and massage parlors are very vulnerable to transmission of venereal disease (Hartadi, 1992). Entering October 1994, the Central Java Provincial Health Office discovered the fact that there were two women and two men who tested positive for HIV (“Dua,” 1994).

It takes a long process from the initial issuance of licensing to the operation of the discotheque building. However, the discotheque entrepreneurs tried to find a shortcut by bribing unscrupulous officers. An example is the process of issuing the Hinder Ordonantie (HO) Permit. Not a few "magic memos" obtained from officials brought by the discotheque businessmen with the aim of expediting the application for the issuance of permits. Some HO Permits are issued without specifying the establishment of a discotheque. For example as stated in HO Permit No. 556.4 / 236/1994 and 556.4 / 571/1995. Information on operational licenses issued at these two places is a billiard business in Matahari VII Floor and a billiard business permit on Jalan Kenari 1/5. In fact these two places not only do billiard business, but also seek night entertainment venues, namely the Scorpio Disco and Canasta Disco.

Not only that, unscrupulous law enforcement officers are also proven to be involved in operational activities carried out by discotheque entrepreneurs. Siliwangi Dance Center (SPD) or known as "Superdome" and Pure Music (MM) is a disco that is known to dare to run operational hours beyond the limit. At the time of the raid carried out by SPD officers even dared to show a "magic letter" that was allegedly given by a state official from Jakarta named Benny. Allegedly what is meant by Benny is Benny Moerdani. Soetrisno Soeharto as the Mayor of Semarang then checked back on Benny Moerdani and Benny Moerdani denied the "magic letter" owned by the SPD. In April 1997, MM Discotheque was raided by officers during the National Disciplinary Movement (GDN) operation. When the officer tried to enter the MM Discotheque, the discotheque manager tried to offer some money to the Captain. Inf. Subaktio and Captain. Inf. Supriyadi as Pasintel Kodim 0733 / BS who at that time served in the field. Found this, the officer felt offended and choked MM manager with various questions. From the information obtained, the bribery is usually carried out by MM as a form of "assistance" given to the officers. Based on this answer, the officer took action by reporting the MM to the Semarang District Police regarding the crime of bribery (Suara Merdeka, 8 April 1997).

Another crime that often occurs is the circulation of narcotics. Ecstasy is a type of narcotics that is commonly consumed by discotheque visitors. Ecstasy consumption is considered capable of providing euphoria in the form of feelings of pleasure, an instant increase in energy, and excellent stamina when dancing (Nadeak, 1983, p. 102). The peak of the ecstasy circulation in Semarang occurred in 1996. This pill was circulated by visitors and some of it can be obtained from the waitress in the discotheque. The big city of Ecstasy which is quite famous in the city of Semarang is called Cong Hwy. He is domiciled in Jalan Badak V and used to facilitate ecstasy dealers to sell illicit goods in the disco. Cong Hwy's lunge ended on 22 March 1996 when police arrested him along with several dealers who used to operate on Venus Diskotek (“Terbongkar,” 1996). Famous comedian had also been involved in the misuse of ecstasy pills. In December 1996, Jujuk Juariah frontman of the Srimulat comedy group was raided by officers at MM Discotheque, Jalan Gajah Mada Semarang. By Semarang District Police officers, Jujuk was found stoned together with ecstasy dealers from Surakarta who had become the target of officers. The jaksa found in the "On" state was then taken to Mapoltabes Semarang for further examination (“Jujuk,” 1996).

The rampant abuse of narcotic types of ecstasy also cannot be separated from the involvement of unscrupulous members of the Armed Forces. Some of them are proven to do backups, take ecstasy pills, and get caught red-handed during transactions. In 1996-1997, generally imported Rolls Royce ecstasy pills were sold at Rp 150.000 per item, while for local ecstasy like Pink, Moss, Blue Star, Gobel, or Electric are sold at Rp 50.000. The price can change depending on the scarcity of goods (“Soal ecstacy,” 1996). The fact of the involvement of these ABRI elements can be seen from the events that occurred in November 1996. Dandenpom Semarang, Lieutenant Colonel. CPM. Syaiful caught his members because he proved to be a dealer in ecstasy. The ABRI person who was active as a member of Diponegoro's Kesdam IV was then taken to the Diponegoro Military Detachment 5 / IV headquarters to be subject to disciplinary sanctions. Apparently, ecstasy pills circulated in Semarang via a narcotics network that involved the armed forces as backups. During the 1996 period, the Diponegoro IV Regional Military Police (Pomdam) had investigated 19 suspects who were allegedly involved in the activities of "stabbing", abusing, and circulating ecstasy. Five persons were declared dealers and dealers, while 14 other members were declared users of the ecstasy pills (“Di diskotek” 1996). 

The various facts that have been described prove that discotheque activity raises various social problems in the midst of society. The city government together with law enforcement officers then made various efforts to overcome them. This is only done so that this social problem can be overcome or at least not become worse. Given the acts of violence, ecstasy circulation, prostitution, and violations of operating hours that occur in the discotheque environment will cause unrest and can threaten order. Government's Efforts to Overcome Social Problems Various social problems that occur in the discotheque environment encourage the government and law enforcement officials to conduct crime prevention efforts including pre-emptive, preventive, and repressive-coercive.

Pre-emptive efforts are carried out with a number of educational activities, such as appeals or counseling, which aim to eliminate the causative factors that are driving and opportunity factors, commonly called criminogenic correlative factors from crime. This effort is the first step to prevent the occurrence of criminal acts by instilling good values / norms so that the intention to commit a crime becomes lost even though there is an opportunity (Nature, 2010, pp. 78-80). For example, an appeal to stay away from liquor that was socialized since the 1990s by community leaders and officers of the Security and Public Order (Kamtibmas) in Kampung Cilosari (Tribun Jateng, August 1, 2016). Pre-emptive efforts can also be carried out through propaganda, as is done by the Soekarno-Hatta Guruh. He made war propaganda against ecstasy through the house music album titled NTXTC (read:Anti-Ecstasy). This album was released as a paradox of the negative image of the rhythm of house music which is closely related to promiscuity and ecstasy (Kompas, 5 November 1996).Preventive effort is an action taken to reduce or eliminate the possibility of an unwanted event in the future. Preventive approaches taken by the government and law enforcement officers in Semarang include security patrols and counseling about the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV / AIDS. Since the New Order came to power, patrol activities have often been carried out by law enforcement officials to maintain security and order. Entering the 1990s, patrol activities began to comb night spots with the aim of suppressing crime rates. The police also combed the Marina Beach area which is often used as a place for ecstasy users to continue "tripping" when the discotheque is closed (Suara Merdeka, 9 June 1997). Activities to prevent sexually transmitted diseases and HIV / AIDS are through a screening / discovery program for patients with Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and HIV / AIDS. The city government carried out these routine activities in places prone to transmission such as the Penitentiary (LP), Disco, Massage Center, and Sunan Kuning Localization (“Survey,” 1990).

Finally, a repressive-coercive effort, known as a penal policy, was one of law enforcement efforts that focuses on combating crime with criminal sanctions (Sudarto, 1986, p. 60). Temporary closure to the discotheque which was proven to have violated was then carried out by the Semarang Government. Siliwangi Dance Center had been temporarily closed by officers several times due to violations of operating hours and ecstasy circulation within the discotheque (“Soal,” 1996). However, the government's tolerance via temporary closure was only underestimated. After the discotheque reopened, the same violations were even worse. To follow up on this problem seriously, the government and law enforcement officers then resort to a coercive way to suppress the increasingly rampant crime in the discotheque environment. Coercive actions had been taken include; raids and convictions; curbing prostitution were shrouded in a disco environment; policing of the officers and other law enforcement officers; permanent revocation of the discotheque operating license.

D. Conclusions

Disco music trend is one form of Western culture that is so attracting the attention of Indonesian people. The city of Semarang, as the provincial capital, is not spared from the massive disco waves that have led to various means to facilitate the public to enjoy disco music. Discobar, Night Club, and Discotheque is a place of night entertainment that presents disco music as the main menu as well as a place to find pleasure. The current development of the world of night entertainment in the period 1970-1998 was marked by the emergence of Shinta on January 10, 1970 as the first disco that stood in the city of Semarang. Shinta's appearance triggered the establishment of other discos such as Canasta, Stardust, Kencana Shark, Ming Palace, Studio I, Venus, Scorpio, Super Star, Lambada, Sky Garden,

Discotheques and various nightclubs are then seen as representing the image of the metropolitan community. The velocity of money in this industry is seen as quite large as income land for the city government. However, this cannot be implemented optimally because many of the officials and law enforcement officials have been proven to have been involved in bribery and "freezing". From issuing licenses to the establishment of discotheques to their operational activities, these individuals received unofficial income which flowed into their personal pockets.

Disorder that had occurred since the beginning caused the disco entrepreneurs not to heed the agreement contained in the regional regulations. Negative influences then emerge as a form of social consequences of discotheque activities such as violence, ecstasy dependence, covert prostitution, and violations of operating hours. Entering the 1990 period, social problems that arose in the discotheque environment were getting worse. In fact, unscrupulous officials proved to be "backing" from ecstasy syndicates circulating in the discotheque environment. Therefore, it is understood that most of the people who come to the discotheque will eventually fall into the snare of disobedience as a result of wrong social association.

The government then took several steps in an effort to tackle these social problems. These efforts include pre-emptive, preventive, and repressive-coercive. In 1996, the Siliwangi Dance Center was permanently closed by the government because frequent violations could not be tolerated. The government then issued a law reform through the issuance of Law No.22 of 1997 concerning Narcotics to combat the circulation of ecstasy. This legal umbrella serves as a basis for law enforcement officials to conduct raids on discotheques and arrest perpetrators who have proven to be users, dealers, and dealers. Entering 1998, discotheque activities in Semarang increasingly lethargic because of the economic crisis that hit Indonesia. Murni Musik (MM) became the only major discotheque that was able to survive in Semarang until 2001. After MM closed, the frenetic disco in Semarang was not as massive as it happened in the period 1970-1998.

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