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VIPs to join demonstration against anti-pornography bill
Dicky Christanto , The Jakarta Post , Denpasar | Fri, 10/10/2008 10:47 AM | Bali
Several national figures and representatives of mass organizations from outside Bali plan to join a mass rally sponsored by the Bali People's Component (KRB) in Denpasar on Saturday against the anti-pornography bill currently being deliberated at the House of Representatives.
The key figures from other parts of Indonesia will speak on how the bill threatens the country's pluralism and unity. Representatives of the organizations plan to reassert their opposition to the bill through a variety of art performances which will offset the march and speeches.
Well-known figures scheduled to come include Regional Representatives Council member GKR Hemas, singer Franky Sahilatua and noted filmmaker Garin Nugroho. Representatives from Jakarta's Bhineka Tunggal Ika Alliance (National unity in diversity alliance) and similar organizations from South and North Sulawesi and East Nusa Tenggara have confirmed they will participate as well.
"Their presence means so much to us as it demonstrates Bali is not alone in its struggle to oppose the bill," KRB coordinator I Gusti Ngurah Harta said during a press conference Thursday.
He further said Hemas -- Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X's wife -- reportedly canceled her trip to Geneva in order to be able to attend the Saturday rally.
The rally is slated to start from the Bajra Sandhi (Bali people's struggle) monument in Denpasar's upscale Renon area followed by the participants marching to Puputan Badung square, around an hour walk northward from Renon.
Harta said during the march rally participants plan to carry on their shoulders a giant red and white flag specially prepared for this rally. "It shows we are not sect oriented," he added.
He said once participants have reached the Puputan Badung field, art performances and key speeches would be delivered from a giant stage.
Harta said more than 5,000 people were expected to participate in the mass rally, the third KRB has organized during the last two months. "It should be bigger than the last mass rally in term of participants. People from traditional villages around the island have also been invited to come."
I Wayan Semara Cipta, the rally's field coordinator, said he had arranged with the police that they would divert traffic while the participants marched along the main thoroughfares.
"We also held this press conference as a way to inform residents the central roads will be filled with people and they should plan to use other routes," he said.
As reported earlier, lawmakers may insist on passing the controversial bill next Tuesday even though it has been strongly opposed by many organizations and regions around the country.
