Of bathing and bikinis: Porn law claims yet more victims

Agus Maryono ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Purwokerto   |  Sat, 12/20/2008 8:46 AM  |  Headlines

The association of tour guides at the Baturraden holiday resort in Banyumas, Central Java, has blamed the much-decried anti-pornography law for a slew of recent cancellations by Dutch tourists planning to visit the area.

Association chairman Tekad Santoso said Friday he had received several emails from Dutch would-be holidaymakers saying they were canceling their visits over fears they could fall foul of the law while enjoying Baturraden’s attractions.

“It’s true, they said they were afraid the police would arrest them for bathing in the local sulfur springs,” Te-kad said.

Baturraden, he went on, was a popular destination among Dutch tourists, with an average of two tour groups visiting the resort each week.

Tekad added that for most Dutch tourists, Baturraden held a sentimental attraction because of its rich Dutch colonial heritage.
 
“So when they come here, they feel they’re cherishing memories of their ancestors,” he said, adding he had shown Dutch tour groups around the area for more than 20 years.
 
He also said most of the tour guides in the area had built up a good rapport with the visitors.
 
One of the most popular activities here, Tekad went on, was to bathe in the natural hot springs and enjoy a sulfur wrap and massage, during which the men normally wore only shorts and the women bikinis.
 
"It seems they followed the news on the porn law in Indonesia and got the idea they could be jailed for bathing like that, just because of the law,” he said.
 
The controversial anti-pornography bill was passed recently by the House of Representatives and signed into law last week by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
 
Djatmiko, chairman of the Baturraden tourism community association, concurred the resort had long built up good relations with Dutch tourists.
 
“The relations are so good, (the tourists) established the Tileng Foundation to help improve Baturraden’s education sector,” he said, citing a local elementary school that had received a donation of Rp 600 million (US$54,500) from the foundation.
 
Djatmiko said an average of 1,000 Dutch tourists visited Baturraden annually.
 
However, he also said at least three planned visits by Dutch tour groups had been canceled since the law was enacted.
 
“But I don’t think it’s just about the porn law; the global financial crisis could also be behind the cancellations,” he was quick to point out.
 
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AReader (not verified) — Tue, 12/23/2008 - 6:06am

LOL I just noticed yesterday that they start to cut all the kissing scenes in movies out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It would be very funny if it wouldn't be so pathetic!!!!

I hope the international press hangs on to this issue, so very soon Indonesia reach his goal not to have non-muslim visitors anymore !

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Nicholas (not verified) — Tue, 12/23/2008 - 5:19am

Here's my question:

When did the Indonesian get a vote on something so relevant to every single person's lives?

Indonesia takes one more bold step towards being the country amongst all others that nobody feels free in.

Meibe Isoku (not verified) — Mon, 12/22/2008 - 10:08pm

Please don't tell me how to dress or what to drink or how to spend my vacation! My friends and I were going to Bali for the Holidays, we will now continue on to Thailand as some in this blog have suggested :-) Thanks!

Indonesia Portal (not verified) — Mon, 12/22/2008 - 4:05pm

The porn law is one of many reasons, why indonesians, who studied outside of Indonesia, never want to come back to their home-country.

I often hear that from indonesian students here in germany. They often have a hard time to believe, what´s happening in their old home country.

Even for people with good intentions to built up Indonesia, this country is trying its best to affront those people.

Sadly, ver often, the biggest obstacle for development in indonesia is indonesia itself

Rod from sydney (not verified) — Mon, 12/22/2008 - 3:26pm

Hi Indonesia and Jakarta Posties.
Well as an Australian thats pretty pathetic to have such a law in place, I mean if people stop traveeling to your country, how will Indonesia ever be not considered a third world country ?

And to ''No Big Deal'', tourism is one your countries biggest earners, alot of people rely on it to earn there living. In effect you would benefit in some way from others when they spend money they get from the tourism industry. Truly you are uneducated person, you need to be informed and educated to have a valid and resonable reponse.

Regards,
Rod.

Arfur (not verified) — Mon, 12/22/2008 - 12:21pm

what is wrong with every one , how can they let the lunatic hard line clerics and followers take control like that , they are in the minority , with the crazy import ban and taxes (my oh my how greedy we are) there will be no one working here anymore and there will be no more tourists , is living in a room with no electricity no water and with candleligh and a bowl of rice good then? a step back to the dark ages im afraid , get your priorities right and get your house in order

Christian nielsen (not verified) — Sun, 12/21/2008 - 5:26pm

strange situation in RI thise days, the Indo people forget about its past, as a amimistic paradise with various traditions in clothings or non clothings as culture.
Radicalism is the dark side of human being. I think we maybe also soon will witness the pig wering dress.
Still I pity my fellow foreign visitors, who so badly need a drink on vacation. Europe are floating with alcohol and drugs. I tought that vacation was about to get away form daily lifes struggle. the europeeans wiev on alcohol is as radical as the newly Pornographic law.

Borsa — Sun, 12/21/2008 - 3:26pm

This anti-porn law was voted by hypocrites and finally signed by a hypocrite.

Teuku AGAM (not verified) — Sun, 12/21/2008 - 11:42am

Dutch tourists already pre book their trip at travel agencies in The Netherlands so when trips are canceled or re-routed to other Asian destinations which have a more tourist-friendly attitude we may conclude these people canceled because of the new anti porn law.

I am afraid its gonna get a lot worse for the Indonesia's tourism industry next year. Before the implementation of the anti porn law it has already been quite difficult for Indonesian and foreign owned travel agencies to motivate potential holiday makers to choose our country as the prefered holiday destination.

TIME Indonesia 2008 was a overall disappointement for the industry. Perhaps the organizers are "proud" on the fact that 60 foreign buyers attended but its false pride. ITB-Asia in Singapore succeeded in getting over 800 foreign buyers in their first event in october.These buyer do not need to be "motivated" with discounted airline tickets and discounted hotel rooms. They just come.

Here in conservative Aceh, the tourism industry is still in its infancy, except for Pulau Weh. Although bikini's are not in line with Acehnese cultural values, the locals came up with their own solution: Secluded beaches away from the village, especially for foreigners where the women can swim in bikini.The respective beaches are guarded by the same villagers so that people who have no business there stay out. The locals still sell food and drinks to the tourists so they can earn a living.

Also the islands outside Ulhee Lheu are mostly uninhabited and therefor perfect for people who enjoy privacy.

Community based tourists at its best.

PT (not verified) — Sun, 12/21/2008 - 7:39am

Good.We will be much happier to see the tourists will choose Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Penang or other distinities rather than Baturaden, Banyubiru, Kuta, Legian and other places in Indonesia for the sake of the implementation of the pornography law.

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