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Porn bill committee OK's bikinis at resorts
Dian Kuswandini , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 10/17/2008 10:26 AM | National
The House of Representatives' special committee debating the controversial pornography bill will allow tourists to wear bikinis at tourist resorts in a bid to ensure tourism is not negatively affected by the controversial legislation.
"Tourists are allowed to wear bikinis in tourism resorts like Bali and Parang Tritis beach (in Yogyakarta). The porn bill will treat recreational and leisure areas differently," lawmaker Husein Abdul Azis of the Democratic Party said Thursday.
There have been fears among domestic tourism operators that the bill would deter tourists from visiting because it would recquire them to wear "appropriate" clothing.
Bali is the country's top tourist destination. Indonesia aims to attract 7 million tourists this year and collect some US$6.7 billion in foreign exchange revenue.
Head of the House's special committee deliberating the pornography bill, Balkan Kaplale, said his team had made some changes to contentious articles in the bill, finalizing the terms before lawmakers begin their recess period starting on Oct. 30.
"I can say there have been drastic changes in the bill," said Balkan of the Golkar Party. The changes act as a compromise to the growing opposition movements to the bill.
Despite concerns for tourism, speculation continues to mount over Articles 21 and 22 of the bill, which stipulate that the public is allowed to "directly involve" itself in preventive measures against pornography. Critics have said the articles could put the law into the hands of civilians, including hardliners.
Husein said the committee had already added additional explanations to those particular articles of concern.
"The bill has made it clear now that such preventive measures are only applicable to the authority of the police and prosecutors," he said.
However, lawmakers are still discussing the much criticized definition of pornography, he said.
Article 1 of the bill defines pornography as any man-made work that includes sexual material in the form of drawings, sketches, illustrations, photographs, text, sound, moving pictures, animation, cartoons, poetry, conversations or any other form of communicative message.
Lawmaker Muhaimin Iskandar of the National Awakening Party (PKB) said the committee would inform the public about changes to the bill before Oct. 28.
"We must publicize the changes in the media. This bill should no longer be creating controversy and should be ready to be passed," Muhaimin said.
The committee will bring the bill to the House consultative body next Tuesday.
"If the body approves the bill, the House will bring it to the plenary session and pass it either on Oct. 28 or Oct. 30."
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Agga Soediono (not verified) — Tue, 12/30/2008 - 4:48am
I don't even know where to begin with this law. It is utterly ludicrous, moronic and does not even make any sense at all!
First of all, Article 1 of the Pornography law attempts to define pornography as "any man-made work that includes sexual material in the form of drawings, sketches, illustrations, photographs, text, sound, moving pictures, animation, cartoons, poetry, conversations or any other form of communicative message."
Could the government be more specific on their definition of sexual material? Does it constitute walking on the street, going to a meeting, going to a party? Also, man-made works could range from realistic renderings to abstract-represetative art works. What if it is an abstract art work, representing, say a nude reclining body? How would the government and officials know about individuals' meaning making processes? The government needs to set a straight definition on sexual material and pornography. If the dictionary does not have a clear definition, then how could the government sets a precedence in passing a law that does not have a strong definition ground?
Second of all, the government is still attempting to solve the issue regarding the exemption for tourist and leisure purposes that tourists will be treated differently in their clothing preferences. How will the government differentiate between tourists and people who are subject to this law? Does not this show that the law is flawed, the government is inconsistent? What kind of a country will Indonesia be if even the very core fundamental laws, legislation, and constitution is inconsistent?
Third of all, if artists, painters, drawers, sketchers, sculptors, poets, writers cannot express their voices...I would think that this law is UNCONSTITUTIONAL since it withdraw article of the constitution that states that of people's freedom of speech. Does the government want to curb people's of their core democratic rights to let their voiceS to be heard?
I thought as a nation we are trying to move forward, break the barriers and social gaps and make sure that every single voice is heard; moving toward a full democratric government by the people, for the people and from the people.
In addition to this, I would point out that the government is full of hypocrisy. The Indonesian government has been entirely opposed to the fundamental ideals of communism since the inception of Suharto administration, and yet they dictate people regarding what to wear and what not to wear. What a bunch of hypocrites and flip-floppers they are!? Moreover, regarding morality, instead of dictating people what they can wear and cannot wear, isn't corruptions a moral issue that the government itself has not been able to eradicate, and not just some pornography law that does not even make any sense and straight definition?
Rahadi Widodo (not verified) — Thu, 10/23/2008 - 3:53pm
Don't worry, soon these old Officials will be replaced by the younger generations that make this place more like Singapore. This is their last stand before tsunami of young talented and educated generations in USA take over. Sad today by the future looks bright! No young generation will tolerate people like Abu bakar Basir, no room for him in indonesia unless you are a Lawmaker today.
delvi (not verified) — Thu, 10/23/2008 - 11:20am
God Gracious, I still can't believe it that us, people of Indonesia, are represented by these sanctimonious moronic law makers.
God please save us from this new form of authoritarian rule.
Rony rize (not verified) — Wed, 10/22/2008 - 10:54pm
it would be intresting who is doing those bill and how those people earn money and from whom they get payed.
this bill is bought by conservative moslem parties, just to bring more presure on anybody they choose.
all foreigner will think twice if they want to spent holiday in indonesia. such bills are despite the changes in the bill poison for the tourist industrie. all foreign newspapers will write about how much behind this people want to live. they will not see that this bill is just set up by a few radical thinking people.
what if someone has a tattoo with a topless lady. must he cut of his skin and give it to some officals? what do you will tell to all those truck drivers who a having a picture of a naked women on the truck? art scenes will suffer most and artist will look for a open and more peacefull place to work.
this bill is not for protecting children. this is just a lie. its for bringing presure on individuals, destroying the indonesian traditional clothing culture and give every men the right to abuse women.
Hussein (not verified) — Wed, 10/22/2008 - 1:31am
Unbelievable, our lawmakers are so short sighted for forcing to impose the Porn Bill without respecting our dress code heritage..., it seems they are being brainwash by Foreigners by trying to introduce a foreign dress code, which is not suitable to our climate environment.... Indonesia is an Archipelago countries, we are used to seeing woman wearing a simple dress, suitable to the hot climate, and not causing any bad sexual behaviour...
Next time in future our Lawmakers will start amending the Porn Bill, to include all female animals to be covered, so the male animal can not have sex in the public, which can cause sexual arousal behaviour to men...which is a sin and cause sexual misbehaviour to Indonesian men...., hahahaaa..., our Lawmakers are absurd and hypocrites...
Stop Porn Bill forever..., and just continue what we have on Pornography criminal law.... Dont waste people's money and lets do something first priority such as eliminating proverty...
R.Astari (not verified) — Tue, 10/21/2008 - 10:00pm
Oooh, yes. They just won't quit, will they? There are no worst creatures in Indonesia than a bunch of deaf, dumb, blind hypocrites like them. Too bad they have money (and want more money) and power. Let's stop calling them "The House of Representatives" (DPR), okay? Because, honestly, they are not representing the majority of people here. They just want more money from the citizens by giving these stupid excuses/laws/whatever.*rolls eyes*
No choice but to prepare for some civil war worst than May 1998 here...:(
David Chin (not verified) — Mon, 10/20/2008 - 6:20pm
Anti pornography bill? What a laugh this is. The lawmakers themselves are good only for wasting public funds and are inept, corrupt and hypocrites!! They are the ones who probably will be watching porn movies all the time, apart from wasting the poor taxpayers funds.Sure, lawmaker Husein of Democratic Party says bikinis are ok.He certainly does not want to be responsible for a loss of tourism revenue. What a waste of time. Indonesia has a HUGE migrant population stuck in the bigger cities eking out a daily living. Why not put full focus to resolve social, economic and crime issues first??
Denny (not verified) — Mon, 10/20/2008 - 2:21pm
The House and also the Government seemed to me acting authoritarian. Wise government would have hold a referendum to hear people's voices amid big controversy. The authoritarian manner seemed to me could not be eradicated from this country. Those holding power always feel as if they are king.
Minna (not verified) — Sun, 10/19/2008 - 7:23pm
It is not at all clear to me who and what is this law for???
Is this proposed law supposed to help end the trafficking and sexual exploation of women and children in Indonesia for example?
If yes, then the bill is just another proof that there is no real understanding or real commitment from politicians and lawmakers to fight sexual explotation of women and children in Indonesia.
This law hold very little potential to offer any kind of protection to the most vulnerable. Instead it potentially makes the abused a criminal! At the same time, the organised crime gangs will continue business as usual. Possibly with a higher recruitment rate since the women and children selling sex will be arrested with support of the proposed law.
Anon (not verified) — Fri, 10/17/2008 - 8:45pm
This is stupid. Why are we allowing the government to regulate pornography?
First, demand for pornography always exist. If this bill makes it official that pornography has no place in the society then it will drive the market underground. Black market for pornography would even be tougher to handle.
Secondly, they are hypocrites. I watch porn, I masturbate, and I don't want government to tell me what I can and can't do with my dick. Besides, I bet all of them have at least looked at porn websites at least once in their life, let alone masturbate to it.
Indonesia is trying to legislate this bill on the ground that moral improvements amount to economic well being. Guess what? Developed nations have made pornography legal and we are talking about nations with strong economy, and relative affluence, despite the global recession. It would be better that they spent their time to do something that is actually useful to the community, like volunteering or selling their big estates and Mercedez for the sake of the paupers.