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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."
What's On
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10/29/2009 12/15/2009 Balai Kartini & Umar Ismail Hall, Jakarta
- Imagemakers of the Future: Photography exhibition
10/10/2009 11/30/2009 Alila Ubud Desa Melinggih Kelod Payangan, Gianyar 80572, Bali - Timeless Change
11/05/2009 12/07/2009 Ganesha Gallery, Four Seasons Hotel Jimbaran, Bali. - Choreography of Colours; Sardono W. Kusumo's first solo painting exhibition
11/12/2009 12/12/2009 vivi yip art room Annexe Ciputra World Marketing Gallery Jalan Prof Satrio Kav 11, Casablanca
Henry (not verified) — Fri, 10/17/2008 - 8:23pm
It must be a pervert that claims a bikini is pornography.
Donna Wilder (not verified) — Fri, 10/17/2008 - 6:48pm
I hope that the Indonesian politicians & lawmakers use the same vigor to work out laws and international agreements to protect their many female workers abroad from becoming slaves and the victims of violence even when they don’t violate any anti-pornographic norms. Or maybe in that case money is more important than morals?
Rob (not verified) — Fri, 10/17/2008 - 12:20pm
The intellectual quality (or rather lack thereof) of the Special Committee's announcement is truly astonishing. Opposition to this Bill is not only about whether tourists will be arrested in Bali for wearing bikinis, but about the personal freedom of all Indonesians, whatever their regional or religious background.
This "exemption" for tourists makes it clear that the Bikini itself is considered pornographic under the proposed Bill, and while bikinis would certainly not be appropriate attire in many circumstances, few would describe them as "pornographic", in the generally-accepted meaning of the word.
Presumably if this Bill is passed, the Jakarta Post will not be publishing any more photos such as the one on today's Home page (Bali beach games)...