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House passes controversial anti-porn bill
Ati Nurbaiti , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Thu, 10/30/2008 2:14 PM | Headlines
Cries of joy and shouts of Alhamdullillah (praise God) came from
the balcony of the House of Representatives' plenary hall as the gavel
was struck to mark the passage of the controversial bill on pornography.
Compared to those who supported the bill, those who opposed it only
occupied two rows on the balcony towards the end of the meeting.
Pro anti-porn law activist Lasmiantini of Salima (Muslim sisterhood)
said, "Insyaallah" (God willing), Indonesians will eventually
undergo a moral revival -- the basis of a country, and
later economic revival."
"We are very happy with the result of our struggle to protect children,
and also to protect women," said Lasmiantini, of several groups who
supported the pornography bill.
"If our husbands are (exposed to) pornography then our families will be destroyed."
"Now our children are safe," said Lasmiantini, chairwoman of Salima's Bekasi chapter.
With exposure to pornography contributing to instances of rape and
murder, the country was no longer safe for women and children, she said.
Lasmiantini said, under the new law, sinetron (popular television
serials) would have to be those "of quality" and contribute moral
value, such as the recent hit 'Laskar Pelangi' (Rainbow Troops) --
referring to the movie based on Andrea Hirata's biography of his
childhood.
In response to questions of whether she feared any excessive
implementation of the new law, while justifying state interference in
private matters, she said, "for good things, like an injection, people
are negative about it only because they fear it will hurt."
The activists cited revisions to the bill which they said would
guarantee that only pornography in the public sphere was regulated.
Meanwhile, Save Indonesian Children (ASA Indonesia) chairwoman
Wuryaningsih and a Salima leader both said, "We should work together to
watch out for any excesses."
"The law may not be perfect but it is a start ... We must protect our families," she said.
"We really hope that the (pornography) industry can be regulated."
In response to fears among women that they would become unwitting
victims of the law, Wuryaningsih said the issue of women was only
"political," as if Islamic parties were not behind the law.
"This has nothing to do with the Islamic parties," Wuryaningsih said.
What's On
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10/29/2009 12/15/2009 Balai Kartini & Umar Ismail Hall, Jakarta
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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
Anon (not verified) — Thu, 10/30/2008 - 6:01pm
Saif, I think Andy22 made it quite clear that his objection wasn't to porno being banned, but to his wife being told how to dress by strangers. And rightly so.
There is no problem with pornography being banned - indeed, it already is. There is much danger, however, in the poor wording of this bill. Saif, if strangers told you that you had to wear the burqa, that you shouldn't leave the house without a family member as an escort, that you shouldn't be allowed to use the internet, would you obey?
If you are a man, this question is still valid - we should not impose restrictions on women that we are not willing to impose on ourselves.
Reader (not verified) — Thu, 10/30/2008 - 6:00pm
Viva the burka!!!!
Indonesia will be splitt up soon. This is the best way out.
Put the muslims in a separate state sothat can do what they want without intervering in other peoples freedom of expression and religion.
Unknown (not verified) — Thu, 10/30/2008 - 5:51pm
When I go to Bali for a holiday and my wife wears a bikini, is there from today onwards a risk to be procecuted? And how about the sculptures and paintings in the Ciputra hotel in Jakarta? Do they have to be removed? I considered to invest in setting up new business lines in Indonesia and to work and live in this country, but now I have unfortunately second thoughts or this will be a wise move. Of course, women and childeren must be protected against raping and sexual abuse, but for that the standard law is already in place. Is Indonesia also going to block all sexual tinted websites? Will Indonesian people in the near future have a blank page in their screens when they use internet? Raping and abusing is in my opinion not caused by seeing a woman in a bikini, but is regrettably in the genes and/or upbringing of some people.
Tofan Witjaksono (not verified) — Thu, 10/30/2008 - 5:25pm
Now the legislative passed this pornography bill, which would blame people who wear "provocative" clothing without clearly define what "provocative" is. What next, passing the bill that tell us what to read, watch, and hear? Can you spell F A S C I S C M?
Rahadi Widodo (not verified) — Thu, 10/30/2008 - 5:14pm
I am a Muslim and am so sad that this bill has passed it shows the current government are Extremist, border line al-qaeda. I call them into question for treason due to law on Pancasila.
Culture first Religion second !
Lewa pardomuan (not verified) — Thu, 10/30/2008 - 5:04pm
Sometimes I wonder whether this country of mine is going to be a culture desert, where cultural expression is suppressed, women cover their bodies as if they live in an Arabian desert and fanatics roam the streets, terrorizing people. I hope I am not in denial but don't think it will happen because deep down in the heart of many Indonesians, traditional values linger. I hope the brouhaha caused by the passing of the bill will die down soon. Just like anything else in Indonesia, law is meant to be broken and perhaps, as resistance from the general public mounts, fanatics will be too scared to act. Or, maybe the military will start to think it's time to step in to maintain unity in the country?
Saif (not verified) — Thu, 10/30/2008 - 5:03pm
yes it is a black day for who get benefit from the recent situation in Indonesia. where muslim women used as the commodity to please the wealthy men..just to promote tourism.
why some are disappointed when our politicians trying to protect our children and family from evil.. from trading of women?
who prefer to go back to Europe because porno will be banned? please go.. and i will pay you the ticket.. Indonesia will lose nothing if u leave.. but will gain a lot when we protect our families
Anon (not verified) — Thu, 10/30/2008 - 4:58pm
Sigh.
Well, lets hope that this is overturned sometime soon. Maybe whoever is elected next will realise how dangerous this law is to Indonesia.
Andy22 (not verified) — Thu, 10/30/2008 - 4:36pm
I am an expat married with an indonesian muslim woman. The day someone pushes my wife to wear a veil, or says how she has to behave or dress, it will be the day my family and me will take a plane back to Europe for never coming back again. It is a shame that moderate people can not stop this type of laws that lead the country to nowhere but problems and anger.
Albert (not verified) — Thu, 10/30/2008 - 4:26pm
This will trigger a big tsunami or civil war among provinces...Bali, Papua may be united with Australia...North Sulawesi with Philiphines...Aceh with Malaysia...Batam/Bintan/West kalimantan with Singapore...why? because Pancasila and basic diversified cultures of Indonesia are being crossed...SBY became president due to big hope of nationalism and pluralism n stronger leadership...the next, majority will vote for PDIP and Golkar again...to reverse this tragedy...