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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.
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Patty Alvarez (not verified) — Sat, 12/20/2008 - 11:30pm
I think it is the economic downturn that is the main culprit. People are being laid off or in fear of being laid off and so they will not spend money on big-ticket items like holidays to Thailand. In Garut I have gone to the hot springs and I know what the cultural norms are.. so I won't wear a bikini there, but I can still enjoy the hot springs just the same. I doubt the Dutch are so narrow-minded that they cannot have a hot spring bathe while wearing some other than a bikini. They are not that stupid.
Fred Janssen (not verified) — Sat, 12/20/2008 - 7:31pm
I have spoken to many people here in Indonesia and in Europe and many are afraid of going to Bali and Java because of the porn law. I expect next year 25% less Europeans to go to Indonesia because of this Crazy law that puts Indonesia next to Iran! What is wrong with this government? It really looks that they try to stop tourism. Tourist are welcome everywhere, but Indonesia. Expensive Visa and now allready 4 months allmost impossible to buy alcohol in Bali.1 Bottle Red Label 550.000 Rp. Tourist come for holiday and relax and don't want to be afraid what to wear or go to jail.They want to have a drink on their holiday. But let's be glad that there is a financial crisis, so we can allways blame the drop in tourism on that. People of Indonesia open your eyes!
Fred Janssen
Dennis kedas (not verified) — Sat, 12/20/2008 - 3:07pm
The Porn law is here and dont try to tell tourist around the world the porn law here for fun.
The Porn law is fact and the day will come when somebody from outside will go to jail because the have to little closed on
God is big but stupidity is bigger in Indonesia with the law
Mark Austin (not verified) — Sat, 12/20/2008 - 1:09pm
Think Newton; Cause and effect, plus for every action, there is an equal (in size) and opposite (in direction) reaction force.
Your nasty proxy-Islamic law designed to inflict non-Muslims will also inflict yourselves. The RI shot itself in the foot yet again and cut off it's nose to spite its face.
Bob Hope (not verified) — Sat, 12/20/2008 - 11:35am
Maybe they shouldn't be afraid of the police, it's the fundamentalist muslim organizations that now is gearing up to terror every woman around Java that they should be afraid off. I have advised all my friends to not visit Java as tourists. Bali is still safe though since these organzations have no power there.
No big deal (not verified) — Sat, 12/20/2008 - 10:45am
Don't worry about it if the Dutch or the other nationals are not coming to Indonesia just because of the porn law.
Sit around and relax then. Life will be much easier this way.
David, Jakarta (not verified) — Sat, 12/20/2008 - 9:56am
I suspect that the worsening financial crisis in Europe is largely responsible in this case, but in difficult times for inbound tourism silly legislation like the so-called pornography law can be enough to force agents to switch to other Asian destinations.
Jon belamarus (not verified) — Sat, 12/20/2008 - 9:27am
Not only the Dutch tourists are affected by the law. Just look at the locals, those poor people, who can not afford to have a descent private toilets.
They have to dispose of their faeces in the river or having a bath at an open comunity bath facilities. Aren't these people also breaching the Law? People know that a lot of indonesians are showing part of their private parts during these occasions. How many extra thousand of prisons are going to be built by the authoriries to accommodate these non "law abiding" citizens? How many civil courts are going to be built? And how many more policeman are going to be recruited?
Oh, think about it before making a stupid law.
Iwan2 (not verified) — Sat, 12/20/2008 - 9:08am
I dont think anyone should be surprised with these cancellations, just look at Bali's cancellations and other areas. Travel operators are advising their customers to purchase duty free alcohol/food in their countries before arriving to Indonesia. This is a huge loss in potential local revenues and many tourists are just canceling and not bothering. The porno law beside being wrong is vague, even police dont understand it, what and where are the guidelines and add to that the anti foreign food and alcohol drink tax of 300% and what you have is a paradise being destroyed by greedy people with a perverted view of how others should dress, act and pay for the privilege tax wise.