Forum: Porn committee OKs bikinis

Wed, 10/22/2008 10:42 AM  |  Reader's Forum

It is not at all clear to me who and what this law is for? Is this proposed law supposed to help end the trafficking and sexual exploitation 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 exploitation of women and children in Indonesia.

This law has 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, organized crime gangs will continue business as usual -- but possibly with a higher recruitment rate since the women and children selling sex will be arrested -- and supported by the proposed law. MINNA
Jakarta

Why are we allowing the government to regulate pornography?

First, demand for pornography always exists. If this bill makes it official that pornography has no place in society then it will drive the market underground. The black market for pornography will even be tougher to handle.

Second, they are hypocrites. I watch porn, I masturbate, and I don't want the government to tell me what I can and can't do. Besides, I bet all of them have at least looked at porn websites at least once in their lives.

Indonesia is trying to legislate this bill on the grounds that moral improvements amount to economic well being. Well guess what? Developed nations have made pornography legal and we are talking about nations with strong economies and relative affluence, despite the global recession.

It would be better that the legislatures spent their time doing something that is actually useful for the community, such as volunteering or selling their big estates and Mercedes for the sake of the paupers.
ANON
Jakarta

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?
DONNA WILDER
Jakarta

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