Surabaya Gay Party: 34 Men Named Suspects

Indonesian Police Arrest 34 Men in Connection with Surabaya ‘Siwalan Party’

A controversial police operation in Surabaya, Indonesia, has resulted in the arrest of 34 men suspected of involvement in a gay party held at a hotel in the Ngagel area. Authorities have identified varying levels of participation,ranging from financiers and administrators to attendees,and are pursuing charges under Indonesian pornography laws and the Criminal Code.

The operation, wich unfolded on saturday, October 18, 2025, and was publicly announced on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, has sparked debate regarding privacy, law enforcement tactics, and the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in Indonesia.

Did you know?-Indonesia’s 2008 pornography law is broadly defined and has been criticized by human rights groups for its potential to be used against LGBTQ+ individuals.

Details of the Arrests and Allegations

According to a statement released by the Head of Criminal Investigation Unit for the Surabaya Police, AKBP Edy Herwiyanto, the individuals arrested are categorized as follows: one funder, one main administrator, seven assistant administrators, and 25 participants. “One consists of the funder, 1 main admin, 7 assistant admins, and 25 participants so that a total of 34 were arrested,” AKBP Edy Herwiyanto stated.

The event, dubbed the “Siwalan Party,” was reportedly organized under the guise of a social gathering but was, according to authorities, intended as a venue for sexual activity.”The mode is a sex party, namely looking for pleasure,” a senior official stated.

Investigators allege that the main administrator was responsible for creating promotional materials – flyers – and distributing them through social media platforms. Assistant administrators allegedly assisted in disseminating details and facilitating the arrival of participants at the hotel.

Reader question:-How might this case impact broader discussions about privacy and freedom of expression in Indonesia? What are your thoughts?

Legal Charges and Potential Penalties

Those detained are currently being held at the Surabaya Police headquarters.The legal ramifications vary depending on the role each individual played in the event.

• Funders face charges under Article 33 in conjunction with Article 7 of Law No. 44 of 2008 concerning pornography, as well as Article 296 of the Criminal Code.
• The main administrator is charged with Article 29 in conjunction with paragraph 1 of Law No. 44 of 2008 concerning pornography, and also Article 296 of the Criminal Code.
• Assistant administrators are accused under Article 29 in conjunction with paragraph 1 of Law No. 44 of 2008 concerning pornography,Article 296 of the Criminal Code,and Articles 55 and 56 of the Criminal Code.
• Participants are charged under Article 36 of Law No. 44 of 2008 concerning pornography.

The potential penalties associated with these charges remain unclear, but Indonesian law provides for significant punishments for offenses related to pornography and public decency.

This incident underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding LGBTQ+ rights and personal freedoms in Indonesia, where same-sex relations are not explicitly criminalized nationally but face significant social stigma and are illegal in some regions. The case is likely to draw further scrutiny to the enforcement of morality-based laws and their impact on vulnerable communities.

Watch the video ‘The Moment of