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Porn bill passed despite protests
Abdul Khalik , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 10/31/2008 8:00 AM | Headlines
MORALITY OR POLITICS: Members of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and Prosperous Peace Party (FDS), who opposed the controversial bill, leave the assembly room before the vote. (JP/R. Berto Wedhatama)
The House of Representatives on Thursday passed the contentious anti-pornography bill, defying months of protest from artists, pluralists and human rights groups.
Two of 10 factions in the House, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the Prosperous Peace Party (PDS), boycotted a plenary session to endorse the modified bill that criminalizes all works and acts deemed obscene and capable of breaching public morality.
The passage of the bill was quickly slammed by human rights and pluralist organizations, as well as several provinces opposed to it.
They claim the law threatens national unity, discriminates against minority groups and women, and harms pluralism and diversity in the country.
Just minutes after the plenary session opened, PDI-P and PDS legislators interrupted the forum and subsequently walked out of the House in protest at the bill.
Also boycotting the session were two Balinese legislators from the Golkar Party, Lisnawati Karna and Gede Sumarjaya Linggih. They each interrupted the meeting and walked out of the room while their party read out its approval of the bill.
“We agree we must protect our nation from pornography, but we can’t accept the substance of this bill. Thus we are not responsible for it,” PDI-P faction chairman Tjahjo Kumolo said after leaving the session.
Carol Daniel Kadang of the PDS said the House was in too much of a hurry to pass the bill and that procedurally it should have consulted first with each province rejecting the bill.
Women in Muslim attire cheer shortly after members of the House of Representatives vote by an overwhelming majority to pass the anti-pornography bill during a plenary session in Jakarta on Thursday. (JP/R. Berto Wedhatama)
Hundreds of spectators, mainly supporters of the bill, gave the session an air of religious fervor. Along with several legislators, they clapped and shouted “Allahu Akbar” (God is great), each time a legislator voiced support for the passage of the bill.
As House Speaker Agung Laksono banged his gavel to officially pass the bill into law, they clapped and shouted even louder.
“This is what we need to fight pornography. This law will complete our legal system to protect us from pornographic materials,” Religious Affairs Minister Maftuh Basyuni said.
People’s Consultative Assembly chairman Hidayat Nur Wahid, a member of the Islamic-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) that championed the bill, said the law would not discriminate against any section of society.
Nor will it spark violence, he added in all sincerity.
The bill’s opponents say its approval smacks of political machinations ahead of the 2009 elections, most likely to boost support among the predominantly Muslim voter base for the parties backing the bill.
“This (bill) only shows that the House and the government have politicized morality and religion and are just using them as a means of retaining power,” National Commission for Women’s Protection chairwoman Kamala Chandrakirana said in a statement.
Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika and North Sulawesi Governor SH Sarundajang, ardent opponents of the bill, vowed to continue opposing the new law.
“We will continue opposing the porn law because this has been our stance from the very beginning,” Pastika told reporters in Denpasar.
Contentious articles in the porn bill:
1. Article 1: Definition
Pornography is drawings, sketches, illustrations, photographs, texts, voices, sound, moving pictures, animations, cartoons, poetry, conversations, gestures, or other forms of communicative messages through various kinds of media; and/or performances in front of the public, which may incite obscenity, sexual exploitation and/or violate moral ethics in the community.
Feared impact:
The definition is open to all kinds of interpretation, such as how to define gestures that incite obscenity or sexual exploitation, and will be subject to debate.
2. Articles 20-23: Public Participation
The public can play a role in preventing the production, distribution and use of pornography...by...(d) supervising people on the danger of pornography.
Feared impact:
This article could be used by certain groups to take the law into their own hands by attacking people they believe are violating the law.
3. Articles 8, 34, 36: Criminalization of victims
The articles threatens up to 10 years in prison or Rp 5 billion in fines for violators of the law.
Feared impact:
Artists or models in art shows or productions could be punished for their creativity.
What's On
- Festival of India
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
Rod from sydney (not verified) — Fri, 10/31/2008 - 5:08pm
Hi all,
I cannot stop laughing at this, how pathetic is this bill for your country. Welcome to the dark ages Indonesia, this will surely keep your people in the third world as other countries around you pass economic reform bills that will see there country spring ahead of you with tourist and foreign investment dollars.
You pass a pathetic law that will most probably be used against tourists, so corrupt officials can make USD 10.00 in a bribe....LOL. Too funy yet again Indonesia.
Regards,
Rod House.
Cool dude (not verified) — Fri, 10/31/2008 - 4:52pm
screw you religous fanatic marons!!
Belly dancer (not verified) — Fri, 10/31/2008 - 3:02pm
From now on all foreigners please take note :
1. Article 1: Definition
Pornography is drawings, sketches, illustrations, photographs, texts, voices, sound, moving pictures, animations, cartoons, poetry, conversations, gestures, or other forms of communicative messages through various kinds of media; and/or performances in front of the public, which may incite obscenity, sexual exploitation and/or violate moral ethics in the community.
My very first question to the committee over seeing this bill - Will the government of Indonesia ban " belly dancing " as reference to Article 1 definition since it is been passed in The House of Representatives ?
Indonesia for sure is going backward!
Susung (not verified) — Fri, 10/31/2008 - 2:54pm
Is it by passing the Porn Bill will make a better mind set & way of thinking of ourself & our young generation for them to differentiate what's right & wrong of pornography?
Why don't HOR impose to improve the quality of our education program & behavior understanding to form up a right mind-set & way of thinking??
Will the Porn Bill help the society to live better than under the poverty? Will the economy be better by passing the Porn Bill?
If HOR is unable in making priority -- which one is more important for the country, then we can start worry!!
Just can't believe it, when whole world are concerning the economy turmoil, fighting the currency drowning, finding thousand ways to save the economy's sinking boat, promoting cost constraint and live consciously....Indonesian HOR busy discussing over the Porn Bill??!
What's wrong with them??? Are they really our HOR?? OMG!!
Mike (not verified) — Fri, 10/31/2008 - 2:18pm
Porn is life we all need it. So why not enjoy it as well.
Orang Tua (not verified) — Fri, 10/31/2008 - 1:11pm
IDR is collapsing, Indonesian economy lost battle in competition for investment in the region and what DPR discussed was the porn bill. I'd think there are some more important things to discuss.
Murray (not verified) — Fri, 10/31/2008 - 1:07pm
They are cutting off their nose to spite their face. This law will be a black mark on Indonesia, and discourage the much needed tourist dollars that will now go to other Asian countries that don't endorse such nonsense. People will be afraid of coming to Indonesia fearing the they could be harassed for enjoying the freedoms that they enjoy everywhere else in the world. Or, whats worse, that they could be extorted with another avenue of bribery towards the 'bule', the police must be licking their chops hearing of this bill being passed. And by the way, how do they plan to keep people away from the porn on the internet that is readily available all over the world. Anyway, pornography itself may be taboo, but apparently child porno is alive and well in Indonesia, witness the muslim cleric that married a 12 year old girl, and plans to marry a 7 and 9 year old as well. This isn't just child pornography, but also child abuse in the highest form. This whole thing is totally perverse and twisted!
Anyone you want me to be (not verified) — Fri, 10/31/2008 - 12:41pm
As an Indonesian myself I agree with the other comment posted here in that the passing of the anti pornographic bill is a disgrace to the Indonesian government. Where are the intellectual in the governments now?? But the bill itself would not be a law until SBY signs off in it. But as many Indonesian know SBY is afraid of any confrontation and it will soon be a reality that this bill will be made into law. I have many international friends and they would hate the idea of being harassed by these people for not wearing head covering. But if worse come to worse, we NORMAL people who do wear t-shirt and jeans and like it that way can always say that the women in the Muslim attire who are harassing us (women in particular) for wearing “normal” clothing can always say that the attire are a sexual gesture and put them in jail. Use their words against them.
Sorry for using the word normal, I can’t find the correct word to use there. But I hope that u will get the point.
I would feel very sorry for the people in bali whose traditional clothing could be considered sexually implicit. At least now for people in bali or other areas in Indonesia whose traditional clothing could be considered sexual they could just say that the head covering are sexual…. Protect your own right to practice your culture even if the argument you give is stupid and not logical, this whole issue is not logical.
John Ho (not verified) — Fri, 10/31/2008 - 12:30pm
Well Said Hendra.
There are better things to do than such silly bills.
Schmerly (not verified) — Fri, 10/31/2008 - 10:40am
I think passing of this bill is a disgrace, it will give the hard-line lunatics such as the FPI, Islam Troop Command and other religious bigots, the power to use this law (or their interpretations of it) to force their ideals on the people of Indonesia.
These fanatics already use brute force to close down bars, churches Etc.. and now they will have the law to protect them.
This is indeed a sad day for Indonesia.