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strong>July 19, p. 1

The government will crack down — again — on pornographic websites to support the nation’s Muslims when Ramadhan starts on Saturday, a minister has said.

“As this is the Ramadhan fasting month, we need to strengthen our efforts,” Communications and Information Minister Tifatul Sembiring told reporters at a press conference at the ministry on Wednesday.

Tifatul, known for his antics such as claiming he was “forced” to shake the hand of US First Lady Michelle Obama during a visit to Jakarta, said that the crackdown would focus on local Internet service providers (ISP).

The minister, a politician from the Islamic-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), said that officials would remain vigilant in their work to limit access to pornography in Indonesia, fasting month or not.

Your comments:

It should not only be an issue for the holy month, but all the year round. And much more importantly: What is the government going to do about the pedophiles who molest and rape poor children? I have not seen any investigations being carried out in popular tourist places here in Eastern Bali.

Beer Michael

If Indonesian Muslims were good Muslims, they wouldn’t access porn anyway.

Therefore, Mr. Sembiring is admitting, by implication, that he does not trust his fellow Indonesian Muslims to be good Muslims.

Colin Anderson

Problems like this would not happen if people (especially teenagers) had awareness not to open such websites. Parents have a very important role in preventing their children from accessing these websites.

Myrna Ermantara

You are impinging on my human rights which are far more relevant than your ultra-conservative bigotry.

Personally, I haven’t looked at a porn site in maybe 10 years, but it is still none of your business to intrude into anybody’s private and personal business.

Study up on democracy - not rule by the majority; democracy, which means freedom and liberty for all.

Brien

It has become an annual thing for the government to shut down Internet sites that have a whiff of pornography.

Safrullah

The minister underestimates the people. The strength of their faith is stronger than any temptation that is in front of their eyes.
Moreover, real strength comes from resisting in the face of temptation, not in the absence of it.

Deedee S

I applaud the minister, who has been trying to remove porn sites. But keep in mind that the task of the minister is not only to scrap porn sites.

Diego Safi

Many months ago, he proudly announced that he had blocked 90 percent of the porn sites. Meanwhile, he didn’t put a dent in it. Now he is going to have a massive operation.

A smart person would recognize that to remove all porn he would have to block the Internet completely, including email, and ban all cell phones and even inspect every letter in the mail. Then, of course, there are the local CDs made in Indonesia.

Sheldon Archer

I agree with blocking porn websites but not because of the fasting month but for our younger generation’s sake. Why do so many people not understand the concept of “controlling temptations”?

What your God asks you is to resist the temptations not to prohibit them from approaching you.

If you are strong and faithful enough you won’t be tempted or seduced easily. Prove it and don’t bother others.

Erica

It is not the porn sites that should be blocked during Ramadhan, but rather our attitudes and character that should be improved.

Yunan Firdaus

I think the government should immediately take action against porn sites because most children play around on the Internet now.

Adibayu Putra

Could you focus on fighting corruption sir? Don’t waste your time. We need good education.

Made

I strongly agree that porn sites should be blocked before the month of Ramadhan.

Bagus Styo Budi

The poor fellow has nothing better to do.

Henry Manoe

What a sad reflection on the morality of Indonesians that a minister has to take such expensive steps at all, let alone in the fasting month.

Duncan

I agree completely that the minister should undertake large-scale operations to shut down pornographic sites during Ramadhan. But it is much better if these efforts are not only put forth during the holy month.

Moch Widianto Eko Pribadi

One million down, 1.99 billion to go. Good luck with it. Should be a busy Ramadhan.

Sam Spade