Indonesian district officials discuss LGBT “prevention”
On October 23, 2026, the administration of Kepulauan Meranti regency in Indonesia’s Riau province held an interagency meeting on LGBT issues. According to the official statement, participants discussed gathering information, identifying “risk areas” and measures the authorities call “prevention”. Recommendations are to be submitted to the regent to determine further policy.
The meeting was chaired by regency secretary Sudandri Jauzah, representing Regent Asmar. Participants proposed considering locations, times and circumstances flagged by residents. Sudandri spoke of persuasion and education within the law; possible measures included work with families and educational settings.
Poyadi, chair of the MKKS school principals’ forum, called for gradual joint action. As Tiraipesisir reports, he also stressed that the discussion was not directed at one particular school and that reports of individual incidents should not be generalised in that way.
The official statement specifically highlights the need to distinguish circulating information, allegations and verified facts. Suspected legal violations, it says, should be handled through established procedures without stigmatising individuals or groups.
On October 26, Riau Pos linked the discussion to reports of alleged incidents at senior high schools in the regency. However, the newspaper noted that the chronology and context of those incidents required further clarification.
Earlier, at a local council meeting on October 12, regency social services head Rokhaizal said his department had received no specific reports concerning LGBT issues up to that point, SelatpanjangPos reports.
Uránia previously reported on Indonesian Catholic priest Otto Gusti Madung, who opposed an initiative to introduce criminal penalties for activities supporting LGBT people. He described such restrictions as a threat to freedom of expression.
