hey folks, read this article and tell me whatyou think about plans to introduce an anti-pornography bill. I didn't think much about it but after reading this article, I am quite scared.Why? You could get jailed for kissing in public , wearing 'tight' or revealing clothes. Traditional Balinese dances could fall on the wrong side of the law and foreigners in Bali could be targetted - potentially devastating to our already ailing tourism industry. Artists could be jailed for producing 'sensual' artworks. WTF are thesee bloody legislators thinking??? Something needs to be done - someone with the courage to standup for principles of free speech, tolerance, and moderation should fight for the rights of majority Indonesians to express themselves, after all , we ARE a tolerant democracy based on Pancasila, not some autocratic fundamentalist police state that puts constant surveillance on its citizens.

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Navel gazing ruled out as Indonesians button up

By Mark Forbes Herald Correspondent in Jakarta
February 25, 2006
Page 1 of 3 | Single page
ROCKING in a pink swing fashioned from the cab of a pedal-driven rickshaw, Agus Suwage felt at peace. He had just installed his Pinkswing Park exhibit at Jakarta's international biennale and was surrounded by massive panels with multiple pictures of a near-naked man and woman frolicking in a utopian park - a world away from thoughts of religious furore, public condemnation and possible imprisonment.

The softly spoken, bespectacled 47-year-old seems an unlikely martyr, his only concession to the battle now enveloping his life is a peaked camouflage hat with a skull and crossbones button pinned to its front.

Within days of November's exhibition launch, Islamic fundamentalists had shoved Suwage to the forefront of their struggle to redefine Indonesia by descending on the biennale, forcing its closure and demanding prosecutions. At first police claimed his work blasphemed the story of Adam and Eve, then last week they told Suwage he faced five years in jail for producing pornography.

The same groups staging violent demonstrations against the West over cartoons of the prophet Muhammad are targeting pornography in their battle to transform Indonesia into a strict Islamic nation. And they are winning: parliament is set to introduce a sweeping anti-pornography law.

Expected to be passed by June, the law imposes a rigid social template; couples who kiss in public will face up to five years' jail, as would anyone flaunting a "sensual body part" - including their navel - and tight clothing will be outlawed.

Most women's groups are horrified, entertainment industries believe it could destroy them and Bali's embattled tourism authorities are alarmed at the prospect of sunbathing tourists being arrested.

Mainstream Islamic organisations are warning of moral decay and backing the bill, while politicians, wary of alienating Indonesia's Muslim majority, are condoning the growing anti-porn movement.

Plans to introduce Playboy's soft porn to the Indonesian market next month have become another focus of rowdy demonstrations, with protesters portraying the magazine as a symbol of the decadent West's attack on Islam. Playboy's publishers are proposing a bizarre compromise, no naked women will be featured - Indonesians, at least, will be able to say they only buy it for the articles.

In Jakarta, police have seized hundreds of thousands of "erotic" magazines - including FHM and Rolling Stone - and DVDs, after an edict from police chief Sutanto to "eradicate pornography".

The Islamic Defenders Front spearheads the anti-porn protests. It took two days to track down its leader, Habib Riziek, this week - he was at police headquarters, seeking information about "his men" arrested for allegedly attacking the US embassy in Jakarta last week. Porn, including artworks such as Suwage's, contributes to moral delinquency, Riziek claims. "We don't care about the technicality of the picture," he says. "What we care is that the picture is publicly exhibited and it is pornography and it would damage morals." Suwage believes his work captured attention because one of the models, Anjasmara, is a popular soapie star. The two models, photographer Davy Linggar and the curator of the biennale, Jim Supangkat, are also facing criminal charges.

Suwage is increasingly bitter about Supangkat's reaction to the protest. After hundreds of demonstrators arrived at the exhibition, a panicked Supangkat ordered the offending panels to be covered with white cloth. Other artists draped their own works in solidarity and Supangkat closed the biennale, permanently.

Suwage believes his prosecution is linked to pressure to pass the anti-porn law and the desire of fundamentalists to impose Islamic rule on Indonesia. Suwage, who is afraid of prison, says he is determined to fight.

Based at a small cafe gallery in Jakarta's backpacker precinct, Suwage and a motley collective or artists are mobilising against the new law. "From this case, we make a manifesto for art against the pornography bill. It's very dangerous for freedom of expression but it also threatens other aspects of society." Riziek remains emphatic the bill is essential to "guard the nation's morality" against pornography, which extends past explicit photographs to "anything that could arouse sexual desire".

Balkan Kaplale heads the parliamentary committee finalising the pornography bill and is confident it will become law this year.

It would halt the publication of magazines such as Playboy, he says. " Playboy would place a time bomb in Indonesia, what guarantee is there it would not arrive in the hands of our children? Playboy is American magazine. Please, don't play this game with Indonesians, we have dignity."

Indonesians also have sensuality, says leading feminist and university professor Gadis Arriva. "Women here have always dressed sexily and in tight clothes, this law is something very alien to us, we have barebreasted women in Bali and Papua, this is part of our culture."

In Bali, the head of the government's tourism authority, Gede Nurjaya, agrees. Traditional Balinese art and dance could become illegal, he believes. He is concerned prohibitions against kissing and revealing bodies could be imposed against foreigners, destroying Bali's faltering tourism industry.

Arriva says most women's groups oppose the bill. "Most of it restricts women, what they wear, how they act. It even creates a board that would go around monitoring women's behaviour."

The new law would also gag a flourishing emergence of young female writers, who write openly about sexuality. "It states it is illegal to express any sexual desire, even imagine sex - how do you prove that?" asks Arriva.

She sees the anti-porn movement as part of an agenda to reshape Indonesia, with pornography a symbol of Western culture to the many Muslims who believe globalisation aims to destroy their culture. Adrian Vickers, Professor of Asian Studies at the University of Wollongong, agrees the debate is "part of whipping up a moral panic about Western decadence eroding Indonesian culture and morality", with the potential to push Indonesia towards an Islamic state. "Given anxieties about terrorism, a more Islamic Indonesia could see Australia very much as the enemy," he warns.

A closed society looms, says Suwage. "There would be no freedom, it will have a big impact for us, for artists, but it will go everywhere. I don't believe a picture can change a person's morality. Morality starts from the individual, from inside, not from dogma."

Puppeteer wonders if 'wayang' will pass inspection of porn law


Ati Nurbaiti, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Shadow puppet master Ki Manteb Sudarsono has joined the ranks of seductive singers and erotic models wondering if they could fall foul of the proposed pornography law.

"I've got a couple of puppets and they don't wear pants," he told a discussion at the House on Thursday. "And they have these things and they move when I maneuver the wayang (shadow puppet)," he added, gesturing to indicate male genitalia.

"Will I get into trouble?"

The frank comments of the famous figure from the traditional arts, dressed in his "uniform" of Javanese attire, drew chuckles at a discussion held by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

But actually ending up behind bars amid a wave of moralistic crusading would be no laughing matter, opponents of the bill say.

The arts are among the exceptions in the bill's wide-ranging prohibitions on displays of sensuality, eroticism and sexuality, so Ki Manteb and his graphic puppets would probably escape arrest if they performed in a "government-sanctioned arts center".

Apart from the arts community's objection to subjective definitions of what constitutes obscenity, feminist groups also expressed fears it would be used to subjugate women.

Support for the bill has mainly come from Islamic groups, who were not present at Thursday's discussion.

The event's main message was that PDI-P, claiming to be considerate of communities likely to affected by the proposed pornography law and emerging protests against it, might try to have the bill scrapped.

It was notable that the communities identified included traditional sources of PDI-P votes but where votes dropped in the 2004 general elections compared to 1999.

"We are taking into account the impact that the future law might have on our nation's diverse ethnic groups, such as those in Bali, Central Java and Papua," party legislator Agung Sasongko said.

"And if resistance increases to the point that the law would cause more harm than good, we may attach an academic draft to the bill" to try to delay its passage, added the deputy of the House special committee for the bill.

A delegation from Bali, the birthplace of the fraternal grandmother of PDI-P leader Megawati Soekarnoputri, said the display of body parts, such as in paintings, statues and dance, was part of their culture.

Myra Diarsi of the National Commission for Women said the bill must clearly target industries involved in producing pornography instead of individuals, who would likely be women.

"Besides, (the definition of) pornography must involve all three criteria: Graphic portrayal, excessively vulgar presentation and subordination and humiliation of women."

Some others also found the bill lacking. A total of 14 community group and non-governmental organizations said the bill did not do enough to protect minors from porn in the media and the Internet; and that adults were equated with children, thus hampering their right to information on reproduction and sexuality.

they are hundreds of much more urgent bills to be passed!!! This anti-pornography bill should not be passed. I think it's really dangerous if this bill become a law. Btw, I dont think many voters will back them either. Sure, we are a moslem majority country. But I sincerely believe that a significant number of us are opposed to this bill. So I dont see political justification for the lawmakers to urgently pass this.

We dont need this bill as the rule about pornography already existed in the current law, it just the Police too reluctant to do the job on this issue. Many people got arrested before for making soft-porn or homemade porn on their cellular phone/video, so why do you need a new bill if the existing law is already exists?

I bet, the only parties that supported this are PKS, PPP and PKB just wanted to gain support from the public (which in this matter are mostly parents)

cheers

the anti-pornografi legislation is idiotic. David, I believe PKB is against it.

They are seriously deliberating this bill? A $29,000 fine and 5 years in jail for public kissing? ...

---

Bali opposes porn bill

DENPASAR (Antara): Representatives of 1,430 villages and informal leaders on the resort island of Bali have expressed their opposition to the pornography bill being deliberated in the House of Representatives in Jakarta.

"We, the leaders of traditional villages, have decided to oppose the bill," Dewa Ngurah Swantha told members of a House team that was in Denpasar on Friday to gauge the opinion of the Balinese to the bill.

Under the bill, public nudity and "erotic" dancing would be banned, while couples caught kissing in public could face up to five years in jail or a fine of Rp 250 million (US$29,000).

The team, chaired by legislator Yoyoh Yusrok, was in Bali to get a reaction to the bill from the country's main tourist destination.

Nearly all of the participants at the meeting, including Bali Deputy Governor I.G.N. Kusuma Kalakan, opposed the bill, which they said would harm the tourist industry if passed into law.

Kusuma demanded the legislators stop deliberating the bill.

The meeting was attended by various elements of Balinese society, including religious leaders, artists, youth organizations, scholars and traditional leaders.

Meanwhile, about 300 people held a demonstration against the bill.

"Please, don't destroy Bali tourism. If the bill is approved, no foreign tourists will come to Bali," said the head of the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association, Tjok Sukawati.

They are seriously deliberating this bill? A $29,000 fine and 5 years in jail for public kissing? ...

---

Bali opposes porn bill

DENPASAR (Antara): Representatives of 1,430 villages and informal leaders on the resort island of Bali have expressed their opposition to the pornography bill being deliberated in the House of Representatives in Jakarta.

"We, the leaders of traditional villages, have decided to oppose the bill," Dewa Ngurah Swantha told members of a House team that was in Denpasar on Friday to gauge the opinion of the Balinese to the bill.

Under the bill, public nudity and "erotic" dancing would be banned, while couples caught kissing in public could face up to five years in jail or a fine of Rp 250 million (US$29,000).

The team, chaired by legislator Yoyoh Yusrok, was in Bali to get a reaction to the bill from the country's main tourist destination.

Nearly all of the participants at the meeting, including Bali Deputy Governor I.G.N. Kusuma Kalakan, opposed the bill, which they said would harm the tourist industry if passed into law.

Kusuma demanded the legislators stop deliberating the bill.

The meeting was attended by various elements of Balinese society, including religious leaders, artists, youth organizations, scholars and traditional leaders.

Meanwhile, about 300 people held a demonstration against the bill.

"Please, don't destroy Bali tourism. If the bill is approved, no foreign tourists will come to Bali," said the head of the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association, Tjok Sukawati.


the whole thing's hillarious. I hope SBY intervenes before it gets approved.

Actually (not regarding the bill).. the goverment is too soft to separation threat like this. I can understand papua and aceh, but NOT bali or east java. I know this threat maybe only bullshit and media fueled. But it is not good to leave this kind of things alone. Other can copy and by that time it might be too late.

ITS STUPID!!!

KILL THE BILL!!!

No FREEDOM!!!

I HATE IT!

HELL NO WE WON'T GO!!
:soapbox: :soapbox: :soapbox: :soapbox: :soapbox: :soapbox: :soapbox: :soapbox: :soapbox: :soapbox:

I can understand Bali's position if the people are seeking more autonomy. Were any of the Bali I and Bali II bombers Balinese? 65% of the workforce there is dependent on the tourist industry, and a group of outsiders came and destroyed that. To me their concerns are much more concrete than ideological or ethnic movements such as in Aceh, Papua, and East Timor.

In Tangerang is already happening, from 7PM if you're a female and walking alone on the streets, you can be suspected as a female hooker and police can caught and fine you for 2 years jail. Pretty stupid law by Tangerang government....

Btw, the tangerang government law is also affecting CGK Soekarno Hatta International Airport, so beware, dont kiss your girl/lady on the airport....it can lead you to jail.

cheers

In Tangerang is already happening, from 7PM if you're a female and walking alone on the streets, you can be suspected as a female hooker and police can caught and fine you for 2 years jail. Pretty stupid law by Tangerang government....

Btw, the tangerang government law is also affecting CGK Soekarno Hatta International Airport, so beware, dont kiss your girl/lady on the airport....it can lead you to jail.

cheers

I read that the Internal Ministry (Mendagri) will conduct a review of local regulations soon, expect these kind of laws to be scrapped or modified.

In the seemingly likely future, Indonesia...

- Where kissing in public is illegal, but the largest prostitute district in Southeast Asia is totally open to the public. Children can easily walk down the street and peer into the brothels holding some 5,000 prostitutes, all scantily (or not at all) clad. But hey, at least people won't be seeing that offensive "kissing" nonsense!

- Where the government outlaws women from showing their navel, but primetime drama series are full of women wearing shirts showing so much cleavage it looks like their boobs are about to pop out.

- Where the government rounds up prostitutes off the streets, but a doorman in any hotel in any major city can tell you where to find services within 15 minutes. Not to mention the fact that every major nightclub is full of prostitutes.

Ah, it's a good thing these legislators are here to morally protect Indonesians (wait a second, aren't most of these guys corrupt?) and spend time focusing on populist issues like this to keep people pre-occupied with non-issues. If people were actually focusing on real issues, the legislators might actually <gasp> have to work for a living. They might even have to tackle the real problems with Indonesia like rampant unemployment, double-digit inflation, rural poverty, a failing legal system, and endemic corruption. The people pushing this bile should be tried for treason for wasting countless hours and millions of dollars while greater problems lie ahead.

In the seemingly likely future, Indonesia...

- Where kissing in public is illegal, but the largest prostitute district in Southeast Asia is totally open to the public. Children can easily walk down the street and peer into the brothels holding some 5,000 prostitutes, all scantily (or not at all) clad. But hey, at least people won't be seeing that offensive "kissing" nonsense!

- Where the government outlaws women from showing their navel, but primetime drama series are full of women wearing shirts showing so much cleavage it looks like their boobs are about to pop out.

- Where the government rounds up prostitutes off the streets, but a doorman in any hotel in any major city can tell you where to find services within 15 minutes. Not to mention the fact that every major nightclub is full of prostitutes.

Ah, it's a good thing these legislators are here to morally protect Indonesians (wait a second, aren't most of these guys corrupt?) and spend time focusing on populist issues like this to keep people pre-occupied with non-issues. If people were actually focusing on real issues, the legislators might actually <gasp> have to work for a living. They might even have to tackle the real problems with Indonesia like rampant unemployment, double-digit inflation, rural poverty, a failing legal system, and endemic corruption. The people pushing this bile should be tried for treason for wasting countless hours and millions of dollars while greater problems lie ahead.

^^ :applause: :applause: :applause:

Long live Bali, long live tolerance, long live freedom of speech and expression, long live unity in DIVERSITY!

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Konser Penolakan di Bali


Bali, KOMPAS - Berbagai komponen masyarakat di Bali merapatkan barisan menolak Rancangan Undang-Undang Antipornografi dan Pornoaksi. Gerakan spontan itu bergulir sejak kedatangan tim anggota Panitia Khusus RUU APP di Denpasar, Jumat lalu.

Berbagai komponen masyarakat dimaksud mulai dari pemerintah daerah, masyarakat adat, organisasi kepemudaan (antara lain Laskar Putra Bali), seniman, budayawan, akademisi, sampai pelaku pariwisata, termasuk kalangan pengusaha jasa pariwisata. Kecuali itu, setidaknya 38 grup musik (band) di Bali tumpah ke Kuta menggelar konser khusus menolak Rancangan Undang-Undang Antipornografi dan Pornoaksi (RUU APP).

Puluhan kelompok musik, di antaranya Devildice, The Brews, The Kids, Parau, Born By Mistake, Ripper Clown, Geek’s Smile, Krass Kepala (Bandung), Nyimphea, Suicidal Sinatra, Bad Animal, Residivis, Raja (Bali), 4WD Bintang, Navicula, Psycofun, Lolot, Double T, Postmen, Necromance, Vyly Juile, Scared of Boms, dan Hi Jinx, sepakat menggelar konser di tiga lokasi di Kuta, Sabtu (4/3).

Konser yang berawal di Sentral Parkir Kuta (SPK) itu dimulai pukul 12.00 Wita. Khusus di SPK, konser melibatkan 25 grup musik, berlangsung hingga pukul 19.00. ”Kami beraksi secara bergilir dengan durasi 15-20 menit per grup untuk setiap kali tampil,” ujar Bayu, personel dari grup musik The Brews.

Di lokasi ini, selain konser musik juga dilengkapi pementasan kelompok teater, orasi, serta pemajangan sejumlah gambar dan lukisan perempuan telanjang atau berpakaian minim. Di sana juga terbentang lembaran kain putih khusus bagi pengunjung membubuhkan tanda tangan bila setuju menolak RUU APP. Hingga Sabtu petang, lembaran kain berukuran panjang 20 meter dan lebar 1 meter itu sudah dipenuhi tanda tangan pengunjung.

Vokalis kelompok musik The Resistance dari Kuta, Agung Hari Prabowo, mengatakan, kelompoknya ingin mengekspresikan penolakan mereka lewat lagu-lagu yang akan ditampilkan. Meski mengaku lirik ketiga lagu yang dibawakannya tidak ada hubungannya dengan teriakan hati mereka yang menolak RUU itu, diyakini orasi yang dibawakan sebelum menyanyikan lagu dapat menampung aspirasi mereka.

”RUU itu tidak relevan jika diterapkan di Indonesia yang multikultur ini,” kata Agung, yang langsung disambut sorak dan tepukan penonton. Kawan-kawan kelompok musik Agung kemudian nimbrung dan berebut menyatakan penolakan pada RUU APP.

Joni, kawan segrup Agung, dengan tegas langsung mengatakan bahwa RUU tersebut tidak layak diundangkan di Indonesia, khususnya di Bali. Ipunk, juga dari The Resistance, menambahkan, RUU itu jika diterapkan di Indonesia akan mengekang kehidupan dan budaya masyarakat.

”Jika diterapkan di Bali, bisa-bisa pariwisata di sini nanti mati. Kan tidak ada namanya undang-undang kok ada pengecualiannya,” ujarnya menyindir RUU APP yang memuat pengecualian.

Dua lokasi konser lainnya yang juga di Kuta berlangsung di Apache Club dengan didukung delapan grup musik dan di The Wave Kuta yang disemarakkan lima grup musik. Khusus di dua lokasi terakhir ini, konser berlangsung Sabtu pukul 22.00 hingga Minggu pukul 02.00.

”Seperti aksi lainnya, keseluruhan konser musik ini sepenuhnya menggemakan penolakan terhadap RUU APP,” kata I Gede Ari Astina alias Jerinx, koordinator konser khusus itu.

Seperti diakui Jerinx dan Bayu secara terpisah, bergabungnya puluhan grup musik dengan misi khusus tersebut terbentuk hanya melalui kontak enteng. ”Setelah saling kontak, kami semua langsung bergabung dan secara spontan sepakat menggelar konser ini. Biaya urunan dan juga tidak sedikit dari kocek sendiri,” ujar Bayu.

Sejak Jumat

Aksi penolakan masyarakat Bali terhadap RUU APP sebenarnya sudah memuncak sejak Jumat lalu. Gelombang penolakan terjadi dalam pertemuan dengan anggota tim Pansus RUU APP di Gedung Wiswasabha Kantor Gubernur Bali di Denpasar.

Dalam pertemuan yang dipandu Wakil Gubernur Bali Alit Kelakan, didampingi Wakil Ketua DPRD Bali IBG Suryatmaja dan Wakil Ketua Tim Pansus Yoyoh Yusroh, mereka yang hadir nyaris mirip koor menolak RUU APP sambil meminta DPR menghentikan pembahasannya. Mereka menilai RUU APP tidak mengakomodasi keberagaman budaya lokal di Indonesia, dan dikhawatirkan memicu disintegrasi bangsa.

Di Bali—selain Majelis Ulama Indonesia setempat—pernyataan menolak RUU APP juga datang dari Persekutuan Gereja-gereja di Indonesia (PGI), kalangan akademisi, budayawan, seniman, dan tokoh pariwisata sebagaimana disampaikan Ketua PHRI Bali Tjokorda Artha Ardhana Sukawati (Cok Ace).

”Di Batubulan atau Ubud dan sekitarnya banyak dijumpai patung wanita telanjang, namun faktanya tidak berpengaruh pada meningkatnya kasus pemerkosaan di sana. Jika pembahasan RUU ini tetap dilanjutkan, akan membelenggu kreativitas seniman,” kata budayawan Putu Setia.

Bali, yang berbasis budaya dan mengandalkan pariwisata sebagai tumpuan ekonominya, secara keras dan meluas menolak dilanjutkannya pembahasan RUU APP. ”Dengan dua kali guncangan bom, Bali sekarang sudah sekarat. Bali akan mati kalau RUU itu nantinya menjadi UU,” kata Cok Ace.

i am so sick and tired of indonesian government hypocrisy... why don't we all admit that pornography has been a part of our lives.. why can't we just admit that we enjoy "what is so called pornography" as a part of our culture and actually take advantages of it.. example, various dances in indonesia.. why can't we learn from our neighbouring countries about how they handle pornography.. again, the hypocrisy, two-facedness bill makes me wanna vomit!! indonesia will never move on if the government only focus on simple matters that they can 'touch' instead of the real big problems such as poverty, crime, security, and environmental pollution

Really really do not agree with this bill. How they said pornography, when we have more art of cultures, when we are famous as Democratic country, when they do not know what is pornography mean of(?), when we do not know, what is the different between art and pornography (?), when we need more tourism income... It's about self morality. Just realize:)

^^ I just read Detik.com. Front Preman Indonesia will conduct 'sweeping' of legislators who opposes the bill. Good work, FPI, good work. :sleepy:

I dont always believe what Detik.com says, its almost exactly the same with Jawa Pos. Alot of exaggerating stories and something not true. But if its true, FPI should be ashamed for not respecting different opinion and to add that, their action actually gives them more harm than good prespective among the public.

I mean....What were they thinking?

cheers

thinking? Most FPI members dont think, cause they cant, they dont have brain..!

Yeah, news can be untrue sometimes...

I dont always believe what Detik.com says, its almost exactly the same with Jawa Pos. Alot of exaggerating stories and something not true. But if its true, FPI should be ashamed for not respecting different opinion and to add that, their action actually gives them more harm than good prespective among the public.

I mean....What were they thinking?

cheers

some people are so dumb.

Anyway I think I've made clear what I think about this bill - let's just hope and pray that the bill doesn't get passed in parliament.

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MUI: Ada Pihak Yang Ingin Gagalkan RUU APP

Jakarta, 6 Maret 2006 14:02
Ketua Komisi Fatwa Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) Ma`ruf Amin mengatakan, ada pihak yang berupaya menggagalkan, membelokkan dan memperlambat RUU Anti Pornografi dan Pornoaksi.

"Siapa-siapanya orangnya, baca saja di koran, mereka yang penganut kebebasan tanpa batas. Itu cara berpikir jahiliyah," katanya menjawab wartawan Lokakarya Nasional Manasik dan Manajemen Haji Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI), di Jakarta, Senin (6/3). [what makes you think that you have a right to take indonesians' freedom of expression? and it is not 'limit-less' freedom that we believe in - it is freedom within the constraints of existing laws and regulations, + religious, ethical and moral standards that govern our actions. Obviously you don't have them mr, and so you feel the need to codify them under a law. Why the need to label ppl who oppose the bill as people who believe in 'freedom without limits'??]

Itulah mengapa MUI membentuk Tim Pengawal RUU Anti Pornografi dan Pornoaksi, ujarnya.

Menurut Ma`ruf, masyarakat secara keseluruhan tidak menolak, terbukti ketika pihaknya meminta pendapat dari daerah-daerah mereka berteriak bahwa RUU tersebut merupakan kebutuhan bangsa untuk menjaga moralitas.

"Coba tanya masyarakat. Itu kebutuhan sejak lima tahun yang lalu, sejak 2001," katanya.

Soal Bali dan Papua, menurut dia, beri saja pengecualian, namun secara keseluruhan, bangsa Indonesia membutuhkan UU tersebut dan bahwa perundang-undangan yang ada tidak cukup efektif. [So are you saying that Bali & Papua are not 'bangsa Indonesia'?]

"Soal koteka di Irian itu keadaan sementara tetapi apa mau dibudayakan untuk seluruh bangsa. Koteka itu tidak menimbulkan masalah, yang menimbulkan masalah itu kan penampilan yang menimbulkan rangsangan. Jangan karena satu kasus lalu dibesar-besarkan seolah menjadi malapetaka," katanya.

Ditegaskan Ma`ruf RUU tersebut jangan diartikan bahwa Islam memaksakan nilainya kepada umat lainnya.

"Tentu saja ada kompromi, kalau Islam betul, aurat betul ditutup semua, tidak seperti itu. Kita tentu tidak kaku," katanya.

Sedangkan Wakil Ketua DPRD DKI Jakarta Achmad Heriawan membantah kalau RUU tersebut akan melecehkan dan mendiskreditkan perempuan.

"Justru RUU itu melindungi perempuan dari eksploatasi bisnis seks yang sekarang semakin marak," katanya. [but women who wear so-called 'tight' clothing can be sent to prison - what are you protecting them against??? grow up, preventing women from wearing tight clothes does NOT in any way reduce rape or prostitution.]

Ia menganggap protes terhadap Tim Pansus Anti Pornografi dan Pornoaksi di Bali tidak mencerminkan aspirasi masyarakat Bali dan hanya merupakan protes dari pihak tertentu saja di Bali. [WTF is he on about??? has he been to Bali and talked to the people there?? where is he getting his facts from?]

Sementara itu, Menag mengangap wajar adanya tarik-ulur dalam penyusunan RUU Anti Pornografi dan Pornoaksi. [EL, Ant]

These laws will Probably "Ngaret" (Loosen up) from Time to time so I guess we shouldn't worry to much

These laws will Probably "Ngaret" (Loosen up) from Time to time so I guess we shouldn't worry to much


hope so man ...

this thing is so stupid

we need to embrace our tourism sector .
am so freakin jealous everytime i open the traveller guide here in cologne, and only be able to find thailand singapore and malaysia guide on it.

indonesia's reputation in overseas has already been sullied ... so please People ( especially YOU GOVERMENT !!! ) do something helpful for this issue . not worsen it ...

gosh !!! am so pissed already !!!


think will need a beer now ... hehehe


cheers,

Otanx

finally, prominent public figures are showing some leadership. Megawati (former President, PDIP Chairman) and Akbar Tanjung (former Golkar Chairman) has announced their opposition to the bill (Detik.com). Not surprising though, given that they are well-known supporters of pluralism and Pancasila. Next, expect Gus Dur to speak out against it too. Then, I hope, SBY can show some leadership and declare where he stands on the issue.

Note that just because Akbar Tanjung doesn't support it, doesn't mean that Golkar will follow suit. I'm worried that Kalla (current Golkar chairman) will support it, given his stronger religious background & political reasons.

hopefully the parliament can learn from the problems that arised when Tangerang city passed the law on alcohol and anti-prostitution.
I saw on Media Indonesia or Republika that leaders from various religions had a meeting to discuss abt this bill.

Alvin, in my point of view, SBY cannot comment too much about this, let alone stating his stand on this. He's a president and he doesn't want to be seen as interfering what parliament is supposed to be in charge. Well, that's my opinion.

A good article in Bhs Indonesia from http://www.mediaindo.co.id related to the subject of this discussion.


Kerancuan Antipornografi

RANCANGAN Undang-Undang tentang Antipornografi dan Pornoaksi yang kini sedang digodok di DPR terus menjadi perdebatan tajam.

Yang pro mengatakan masyarakt Indonesia tengah dilanda kemerosotan moralitas luar biasa akibat eksploitasi seksualitas. Yang kontra mengatakan, eksploitasi seksualitas termasuk kejahatan seksual tidak seharusnya diatasi dengan undang-undang pornografi. Hukum positif yang ada, kalau dipatuhi,l bisa mencegahnya. Selain itu, agama dan pendidikan tentang kepatutan adalah juga senjata yang bisa digunakan.

Belum ada titik temu hingga sejauh ini. Fakta yang sama-sama dilihat oleh yang pro maupun yang kontra adalah meningkatnya kejahatan seksual seperti pemerkosaan dan perampokan yang disertai dengan kekerasan seksual, termasuk di kalangan anak-anak. Yang menentang maupun yang mendukung sepakat bahwa salah satu penyebab kekerasan seksual adalah maraknya pornografi.

Fakta sama, tetapi solusi berbeda. Pertanyaan yang amat mendasar adalah apakah untuk mencegah kekerasan dan kejahatan seksual harus dilakukan melalui undang-undang? Tidak cukupkah kode etik yang selama ini mengatur tatakrama profesi, seperti pers, kesenian, kedokteran dan sebagainya? Lalu, agama-agama sudah tidak berdayakah untuk mengadvokasi kepatutan moralitas?

Rancangan undang-undang ini menjadi rawan karena ingin mengatur sejumlah hal yang multitafsir. Seperti berahi, bejat, jorok, porno, erotis, aurat yang berhubungan organ-organ seksual manusia, laki-laki dan perempuan.

Rumusan sederhanya kira-kira begini: seseorang yang memperlihatkan atau memamerkan alat-alat seksual atau bagian-bagian tubuh yang mengundang selera seksual orang lain, dianggap telah melakukan perbuatan porno. Termasuk media massa yang menjual gambar-gambar yang menonjolkan bagian-bagaian tubuh yang mengundang imajinasi seksual, seperti payudara, misalnya.

Dua wilayah ini hendak dicampuradukkan oleh para perancang RUU APP di DPR. Yaitu wilayah aksi dan wilayah imaginasi. Kalau seorang laki-laki yang melihat gadis berpakaian minim di mall lalu memperkosanya di tempat itu, tentu ini adalah kejahatan. Akan tetapi seorang laki-laki yang memandang dengan kagum bagian payudara seorang gadis di mall dan pada saat itu dia berahi tetapi tidak melakukan apa-apa terhadap sang gadis, apakah ini kejahatan?

Jadi, bahaya terbesar dari RUU Antipornografi adalah mengadili imaginasi seksual sebagai kejahatan. Padahal imajinasi adalah salah satu sumber kreativitas, bukan kejahatan. Bahaya lain dari RUU ini adalah menyeragamkan imajinasi seksual. Karena imajinasinya diseragamkan, maka bisa-bisa seorang pria yang menyaksikan wanita telanjang tetapi sang pria tidak memperlihatkan tanda-tanda berahi, juga dianggap kejahatan.

Penolakan keras RUU ini dari Bali, Kalimantan dan Papua berakar pada ketidaksetujuan terhadap penyeragaman imajinasi. RUU ini juga bakal mematikan karya seni termasuk tari dan ilmu pengetahuan, terutama kedokteran, olahraga seperti renang dan voli putri, fashion show dan banyak lagi yang lain.

Jadi, RUU ini memperlihatkan kerancuan berpikir dan bertindak. Mengejar tikus seekor, lumbung dibakar. Gatal di kepala, garuk di kaki.

hopefully the parliament can learn from the problems that arised when Tangerang city passed the law on alcohol and anti-prostitution.
I saw on Media Indonesia or Republika that leaders from various religions had a meeting to discuss abt this bill.

Alvin, in my point of view, SBY cannot comment too much about this, let alone stating his stand on this. He's a president and he doesn't want to be seen as interfering what parliament is supposed to be in charge. Well, that's my opinion.

He should leave the deliberations and final dcision to the Parliament, but I don't think it would hurt his reputation if he announced his position, particularly if he supports his stance with valid arguments and explains it to the public. Leaders here in Australia (including the Prime Minister) do that all the time - even on very sensitive moral issues like abortion etc.

This is very sad for beautiful Indonesia. Makes me sick just to think about it.

Sure, Indonesia is a morally conservative society (that's fine!) and should people moderate their actions accordingly (most do!!!!). But to force one's own views on another by law is disgusting.

sorry, but they are bastards. Medievalism, religious facism and back to oppression.

The sweeping of DPR members who opposed the bill by the FPI is real. All of you knows that I have great disdain for FPI and always monitor their movement. WHY ARE THEY STILL ALLOW TO ORGANIZE FREELY??? THEY ARE A CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE VIOLATED VARIOUS LAWS OVER THE YEARS!!!!

Did anyone catch Metro TV last night? They had a member of Commission 3 and the head of FUI. The FUI guy scared the hell out of me. He started ranting about how people who are against the legislation doesn't have any religion, etc, etc, etc. I could see the host wanted to punch him in the face and the DPR member pretty much shred him to pieces when they were debating. I could tell he was out of his league when he started to talk about concepts, instead of the actual legislation. Get this, he accused the Balinese of being a tyranically minority. Who the hell think he is? the majority?

There needs to be a president who is willing to step in to the affairs of the national police agency and tell them to start prosecuting the FPI. How can people talk about rule of law when this is happening? It's just my two cents, but I'll be honest...I'm really starting to get frustrated about this whole issue.

Hati-hati Minum di Jalan, Bisa Ditangkap...

SOELASTRI SOEKIRNO

Jangan coba-coba bergerak-gerik mencurigakan, apalagi berciuman dengan lawan jenis di jalan, Anda bisa ditangkap!

Itulah salah satu peraturan daerah (perda) yang diberlakukan di Kota Tangerang, Provinsi Banten.

Tepat pada usia ke-13, Pemerintah Kota Tangerang mulai melaksanakan Perda Nomor 7 Tahun 2005 tentang larangan pengedaran dan penjualan minuman beralkohol, dan Perda No 8/2005 tentang larangan pelacuran tanpa pandang bulu.

Mereka yang melanggar ketentuan tersebut akan ditangkap, ditahan, lalu diadili. Karena itu, jika Anda seorang perempuan dan sedang berada di Kota Tangerang, jangan pernah bersikap mencurigakan atau berada sendirian di jalan, di atas pukul 19.00, terutama di jalan yang disebut-sebut sebagai tempat pekerja seks komersial (PSK) biasa mangkal. Anda bisa dikenai perda antipelacuran tersebut.

Sidang perdana penerapan perda itu sudah mulai dilaksanakan Selasa (28/2) lalu. Dalam persidangan yang digelar bersamaan dengan pesta ulang tahun Kota Tangerang itu ternyata tak semua yang ditangkap, ditahan, lalu diadili adalah PSK.

Sebagian di antara mereka adalah ibu rumah tangga yang saat penangkapan itu kebetulan sedang minum teh botol di tepi jalan sebelum melanjutkan perjalanan ke rumahnya.

Ada pula seorang istri yang sedang bersama kawan suaminya di hotel karena menunggu sang suami mencari makan malam sebelum bertemu rekanan bisnis jual-beli mobil.

Selain itu, ada istri seorang guru SD negeri di Kota Tangerang yang hendak mencari angkutan kota setelah pulang dari tempat kerjanya.

Ada pula perempuan yang didakwa sebagai PSK, tetapi belum sempat bertransaksi dengan pria yang menghendakinya. ”Saya baru saja sampai, belum dapat tamu karena masih sore, baru pukul 20.00, eh... keburu ditangkap,” katanya.

Meski di antara mereka ada yang tidak terbukti sebagai PSK, oleh hakim tunggal Barmen Sinurat, mereka tetap dinyatakan bersalah melanggar Pasal 4 Ayat 1 Perda No 8/2005.

Perda itu berbunyi, ”Setiap orang yang sikap atau perilakunya mencurigakan, sehingga menimbulkan suatu anggapan bahwa ia/mereka pelacur, dilarang berada di jalan-jalan umum, di lapangan-lapangan, di rumah penginapan, losmen, hotel, asrama, rumah penduduk/kontrakan, warung-warung kopi, tempat hiburan, gedung tempat tontonan, di sudut-sudut jalan atau di lorong-lorong jalan atau tempat lain di Daerah”.

Sinurat lalu menghukum mereka membayar Rp 1.000, lalu mengembalikan mereka kepada keluarga masing-masing untuk dibina.

Mereka yang mengaku sebagai PSK dihukum denda Rp 150.000-Rp 550.000 atau kurungan tiga sampai delapan hari.

Hukuman ini memang lebih ringan daripada ketentuan dalam perda yang mengancam pelanggarnya paling lama tiga bulan kurungan atau denda setinggi-tingginya Rp 15 juta.

Istri guru

Yang menarik adalah pengadilan atas Ny Lilis Lindawati (36), istri seorang guru SD Negeri V di Gerendeng, Tangerang. Terhadap istri guru ini Sinurat tetap menyatakan dia sebagai PSK sekalipun Lilis menolak keras dakwaan itu karena dia adalah pekerja yang saat itu hendak pulang ke rumah.

Nasib sial menambah penderitaan Lilis. Sampai sidang usai digelar, Lilis yang tengah hamil dua bulan itu tak bisa menghadirkan saksi yang menerangkan bahwa dirinya bukan pelacur. ”Tolong jemput suami saya. Saya ini bukan pelacur seperti yang dikatakan tadi,” pinta Lilis sembari menangis.

Hakim menghukum Lilis membayar denda Rp 300.000 atau kurungan delapan hari. Namun, Lilis menolak membayar denda karena ia merasa bukan pelacur sebagaimana yang didakwakan.

Sejak ditahan, Lilis bukan tak berusaha menghubungi suami dan keluarganya. Namun, upaya meminjam telepon kepada petugas atau pergi ke warung telekomunikasi untuk menghubungi saudara atau rekannya pun ia tidak mendapat izin. ”Suami saya tak punya telepon,” papar Lilis.

Ketika selesai sidang dia mendapatkan pinjaman telepon, Lilis buru-buru menelepon salah seorang teman suaminya. Namun, sang suami yang hari Selasa menderita tekanan darah tinggi ternyata tidak muncul di sidang pengadilan sehingga ia dimasukkan ke Lembaga Pemasyarakatan Wanita.

Tak pulangnya Lilis ke rumah membuat suaminya, Kustoyo (42), bertanya-tanya. Namun, karena ia sedang sakit dan sama sekali tak punya uang, Kustoyo memilih menunggu sang istri pulang. Selasa malam seorang rekannya yang mendapat telepon dari Lilis baru sempat memberi kabar bahwa istrinya ditahan karena kena razia.

Malam itu juga Kustoyo datang ke Kantor Satuan Polisi Pamong Praja Kota Tangerang sambil membawa kartu tanda penduduk, surat nikah, dan kartu keluarga. Petugas menyarankan, guru yang sudah mengabdi selama 20 tahun dengan golongan 3C tersebut datang keesokan harinya (Rabu).

”Saya tak punya uang sama sekali, untung sama teman saya dikasih Rp 5.000. Tapi malam itu saya tak berani pulang, takut tak punya ongkos buat besoknya,” tutur tamatan sekolah pendidikan guru agama itu.

Malam itu ia nekat minta izin seorang yang bekerja di warteg (warung tegal) kenalannya untuk menginap di bangku belakang warung. ”Semalaman itu saya tak bisa tidur, bingung harus bagaimana,” katanya.

Ia mengatakan, Lilis dua bulan terakhir bekerja di sebuah rumah makan di Tangerang. Sang istri biasa berangkat kerja siang hari dan sampai di rumah sekitar pukul 23.00 dengan naik angkutan kota yang berganti beberapa kali.

Rabu pagi Kustoyo datang ke Kantor Cabang Dinas Pendidikan Kecamatan Karawaci untuk melapor kepada Ius, atasannya. Atas saran Ius, Kustoyo membuat surat klarifikasi bersegel yang menyatakan bahwa Lilis adalah istrinya dan bekerja di sebuah restoran di Tangerang.

Surat klarifikasi itu ditujukan kepada Kepala Dinas Penertiban dan Ketertiban Kota Tangerang. Ketika ia membawa surat ke kantor tersebut, petugas di sana meminta dia pergi ke Pusat Pemerintahan (Puspem) Kota Tangerang untuk bertemu dengan petugas bernama Lubis.

”Uang di kantong tinggal dua ribuan. Supaya cukup untuk ongkos pulang, saya jalan kaki ke Puspem. Tapi, di kantor itu saya diminta membayar Rp 300.000 jika ingin membebaskan istri saya,” tuturnya lirih.

Ia sempat agak marah ketika beberapa petugas di Puspem menyatakan istrinya mengaku sebagai pelacur. Atas petunjuk pegawai di Puspem, Kustoyo pergi ke Kejaksaan Negeri Tangerang dengan berjalan kaki untuk menemui seorang jaksa yang menangani perkara istrinya itu.

Sampai di kejaksaan, petugas menyatakan jaksa yang ia cari tidak ada di kantor karena sedang sidang. ”Mereka minta saya membayar denda untuk istri saya, tapi dalam hati saya menolak karena istri saya bukan pelacur,” katanya saat ditemui Kompas, Rabu sore.

Hingga kemarin Kustoyo belum berhasil membebaskan istrinya yang ia nikahi tahun 2001. ”Ia sedang hamil. Saya takut ia keguguran lagi,” tuturnya.

Lilis ditangkap hari Senin lalu sekitar pukul 19.00-22.00 ketika petugas melakukan razia di jalan-jalan utama dalam kota itu. Saat itu juga 27 perempuan dan seorang waria yang sedang berada di tepi jalan dan di dalam kamar hotel ditangkap.

Tak peduli saat itu mereka sedang berdiri menunggu angkutan kota, tengah minum teh botol, makan di warung sendirian, atau berada di dalam kamar hotel. Pokoknya, dalam keberadaan seperti itu, mereka langsung diangkut ke kendaraan menuju Kantor Satuan Polisi Pamong Praja Kota Tangerang. Di sanalah mereka diproses berdasarkan perda kota tersebut.

sumber:http://kompas.com/kompas-cetak/0603/02/utama/2478744.htm

=========================================================

beginilah kira2 keadaan kalo RUU anti porno disahkan
memang dah gila tuh pemerintah

Civil liberties under threat
Charles Honoris, Tokyo

The proposed pornography bill has created a nationwide controversy.

Several interpretations of the bill suggest that the article outlawing women from showing "sensual parts" could result in banning women from wearing swimsuits or bikinis -- or even the kebaya. Even more difficult will be to define what constitutes an "erotic dance". Rhoma Irama certainly thinks that Inul Daratista's dance is erotic, and others may even find the traditional poco-poco dance to be so too.

If enacted, the government will be imposing particular religious values on society, and ignoring the diversity of the Indonesian people. Many have claimed that the bill is not an attempt to implement sharia law, but instead to protect women and save Indonesia from further moral degradation. This is clearly not true, however, as the bill's main supporters are conservative Muslim groups intent on using it to push their own religious agenda.

It is also clear that there have been constant attempts by conservative religious groups to insert sharia law into national laws and government regulations. West Sumatra's legislative council, for example, recently endorsed a regulation which bans women from traveling alone without their husbands after 9 p.m. The Indonesian Muslim Council's Edict Commission chief, Ma'ruf Amin, has voiced his support for Tangerang city's regulation preventing women from going out at night. "That's the way it should be. We have to defend the nation's morality," he said.

To protect women? Instead of protecting women, the pornography bill will be catastrophic to the lives of many Indonesian women.

Women may have to spend years in prison or pay harsh fines for wearing a tanktop or dancing to dangdut music.

In Saudi Arabia, where women are covered from head to toe in public and not even allowed to drive a car, there are constant reports of sex crimes. We frequently hear of Indonesian and other migrant maids being raped and sexually abused by their employers. In Afghanistan, young boys are often targets of rape by older men, and the Afghan government has banned children from areas near military bases in an attempt to stop the problem.

On the other hand, countries that are very liberal on sexual issues, such as Japan and Western European nations, have lower rates of sex crimes.

The bill, if enacted, will curtail many of our civil liberties. It will allow the government to impose a morality defined by certain groups. The government will be allowed to meddle in the private life of the individual. It is also contrary to the spirit of two UN conventions ratified recently by the government: The UN Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Covenant on Social and Economic Rights.
More importantly, the bill is in clear violation of the foundation of this nation: The Indonesian Constitution, which ensures freedom of expression, freedom to develop in the field of arts, and the protection of traditional cultures. Balinese leaders have strongly rejected the pornography bill. Imagine the effect on the Balinese tourism industry if tourists were barred from sunbathing on the beaches. One Balinese leader even threatened Balinese independence if the bill was enacted. If that happens, radical groups may react the way they did in Ambon, by sending die-hard militants.

More violence may follow the ratification of the pornography bill. Fundamentalist groups may use the law to justify destroying objects and harassing people they deem "indecent".

The pornography bill can be seen as a form of Arabization. It is not, as claimed by supporters, an attempt to restore Indonesian and Eastern values. Balinese culture has for centuries depicted nudity as something very natural. The kebaya has been part of Javanese culture for many years, and has co-existed with Islam in Java.

By enacting the pornography bill, Indonesia is gradually becoming what Newsweek editor Fareed Zakaria calls an "illiberal democracy". While democratic institutions may exist, the people are deprived of many of their civil liberties. So, what will be next? No driving for women?

The writer is a student of political science and law at the International Christian University, Tokyo.

Obsession with pornography
Franz Magnis-Suseno SJ, Jakarta

Many Indonesian parents are rightly worried about the amount of pornographic material easily accessible to their children. But the pornography bill, now under deliberation by the House of Representatives, has nothing to do with this worry. There are already sufficient legal instruments available to take all necessary action. What is needed is not a new law, but action.

The pornography draft is about something else. Should it become law, not only would the Balinese and Papuans have to change their way of life, but, for instance, traditional women's clothes of the Javanese, and many other Indonesian cultures, would be declared pornographic. This draft is a blatant attempt by narrow-minded and culturally dumb ideologists to impose upon Indonesian society an alien way of life.

This way of life may fit some societies a few thousand kilometers to the west, but it would violate centuries-old Indonesian traditions. It would be the first step in doing what all sorts of colonialists and aggressors never had achieved up to now: To suppress the essentially pluralistic culture from Sabang to Merauke. It would forbid people from continuing to dress, bathe, walk around, play and enjoy themselves as they have since they were children. It is an attack upon the cultural identity of the Indonesian people.

A look at some of the details of the draft shows the gross incompetence of its composers. It criminalizes the "exploitation of the attractiveness of", among other things, "certain sensual parts of the body", "nakedness", "erotic dancing" and "erotic gyrating" (yes, this is lex Inul). And what are "certain sensual parts of the body"? They are "genitals, thighs, midriff, bottom, navel and the female breast, visible partly or in the whole" (many traditional Indonesian clothes -- informal dress, working attire, official attire, costumes for ceremonial dancing -- reveal, of course, parts of the female breast). The draft makes no difference between being at home, on a public road, hiking or on the beach (it does exempt artwork in specially designed places and sports at sporting facilities).

Technically the most fatal thing is that no distinction is made between porn, indecency and erotic attractiveness. But this difference is crucial.

If pornography is to be made a criminal offense, than it must be something that is pornographic under all circumstances if done in public. And it must be operationally defined. For instance: the showing of genitals, probably the bottom, the whole female breast (and only with the necessary exceptions). Having sex in public or for commercial purposes and its presentation is certainly pornographic. Some might regard showing the midriff (in combination with Western dress -- it pertains to the normal attire of Indian women) as indecent or vulgar, but to label it as porn is absolutely ridiculous.

Decency depends on the situation, porn does not. What is completely decent at the beach would be penalized on a street even in St. Tropez. Regulations regarding decency can be made, but they have to be location or situation specific, and thus to be made by the pertinent authorities.

Erotic attractiveness has nothing to do with porn. Whether something is erotic lies in the eyes of the beholder. For people frequenting swimming pools a women in a swimsuit may have no erotic attraction at all, while a women in an elegant evening gown showing the slightest suggestion of her lower leg can be highly erotic (and in Koran Tempo daily I read that even a women in a bourqa can radiate attractiveness).

Being capable of appreciating erotic attraction in no way exploits the attractive person. It is, on the contrary, an expression of the natural correlation between the sexes that creates an atmosphere of cultural sophistication that enhances the human quality of the tension-rich network of intersexual relations. But indeed, it needs a certain degree of emotional culturedness to be able to grasp its specific flair. Eduard Spranger reminded us 80 years ago that erotic attraction is person specific, while sexual attraction is not.

Should erotic dancing be criminalized? But is there any dancing that is not erotic? Most cultures have developed forms of dancing where the essence is the raising of sexual relations into a sphere of human dignity and decency.

At the end, a remark. The state may, of course, criminalize the production and sale of pornography. But private morality is not the business of the state. When I privately look at pornographic pictures, this may be a sign of my moral depravity, but as long as I do it in private, it should be my business. What should, indeed, be heavily criminalized is involving children in any kind of pornographic or indecent situation.

I suspect that the present pornography bill says more about problems in the mind-set of its writers than about problems regarding morality, decency and human dignity.

The writer, a Jesuit priest, is a professor at the Driyarkara School of Philosophy in Jakarta.

Calm Down... Alvin.... Calm Down..... :pet:

:colgate:!!

It's very clearly a form of Arabization. I don't think anyone could deny that with a straight face. 50 years ago there were even women villagers on Java that didn't wear shirts. To this day many elderly Javanese women wear shirts that clearly show their stomachs, bras, etc. It's not obscene; it's called "culture."

Javanese pornography:

http://www.tasteofjogja.com/IDA/GALERIFOTO/BUDAYAABDIDALEM.jpg

http://www.tasteofjogja.com/IDA/GALERIFOTO/BUDAYARAMAYANA3.jpg

How obscene those shoulders and chests are!

It's very clearly a form of Arabization. I don't think anyone could deny that with a straight face. 50 years ago there were even women villagers on Java that didn't wear shirts. To this day many elderly Javanese women wear shirts that clearly show their stomachs, bras, etc. It's not obscene; it's called "culture."

the anti-pornography bill is real stupid, but refering it as to arabization is not true either. I mean, yes in Arab, said (I've never been there) women cover from head to toe, pornography is a big no no. But if we are to be arabized not only the clothes or anti-pornography are to be 'adopted'.
This bill is for me reflecting how ignorant and how much the legislators do not know our own cultures, habits, diversity and differences from Sabang to Merauke.

we have seen many people including women are showing their protest to this bill, I hope the parliaments are not blind either deaf.

I can't say a lot, but I did live in Saudi Arabia for a time with my uncle. Certainly Indonesia is no where near that level. As the author of one the articles says, the bill is clearly suppressing the native cultures, particularly in East Indonesia, and replacing them with something foreign. It is not a traditional or native value of Indonesia to keep women from showing skin, to force them to wear loose-fit clothing, and to keep them from going out at night. That's just a foreign influence, and there's nothing wrong with foreign influences. But to deny what it cleary is would be incorrect.

It's not my place to ever tell any Indonesian what is right or wrong for their country, and so I won't say Arabization is wrong. It's certainly not any worse than Westernization, Sinofication, etc. The fact is, however, Arab influence is not limited to simply to clothes and pornography as you have mentioned. You might ask yourself how many buildings in East Java were built with Arab money in the last 5 years. I would say far more than 1000. This despite the fact that the GDP of the Arab world is less than that of Spain. There's nothing wrong with that obviously, and I'm not saying there is. But if people call Japan under the Meiji a period of Westernization, where they adopted little more than Western guns, education, and industrial technology, then you sure as heck can call the current era in Indonesia a period of Arabization.

Expect this outrage to spread nationally, not just in Tangerang, when and if narrow minded religious zealots and sexists gain enough support to pass the pornography bill into law.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Islamic moral drive spreads fear in Indonesia
By Mark Forbes Herald Correspondent and Karuni Rompies in Jakarta
March 11, 2006


LILIS LINDAWATI finished waitressing at 8pm and was waiting for a bus when the men in brown shirts came. Five jumped from the back of a ute and forced her into a nearby van.

The frightened, three-months-pregnant mother of two was about to become another casualty of Indonesia's escalating morality war. Her crime: she was female, alone and wearing make-up. A tube of lipstick sealed her fate.

New bylaws championed by the ambitious mayor of Tangerang, a satellite city on Jakarta's outskirts, aim to drive out gamblers, drunks and prostitutes. They are enforced by a small army of "public order officers" who cruise the streets, able to arrest anyone at whim.

The move has created a de facto curfew for women in Tangerang. If they are caught alone at night they must prove they are not prostitutes.

As well as banning "physical intimacy" in public places, a bylaw states a woman "who behaves suspiciously" on streets or in hotels, theatres, coffee shops - even private houses - will be jailed.

Tangerang is not the only regional administration to introduce bylaws reflecting sharia - Islamic law. And a proposed national anti-pornography law will ban public kissing and any clothing considered alluring. Baring a navel would earn a jail term.

Moderate Muslim organisations are supporting the changes, but intellectuals, feminists and artists are beginning to mobilise against what they believe is a hardline agenda to reshape Indonesia. This week, on International Womens Day, thousands of Indonesian women demonstrated against the morality campaign.

A fortnight ago, Mrs Lindawati, 36, was ignorant of the debate.

"For God's sake, I am not a prostitute. I am a good woman. I have a husband and I have children," she protested.

But the officers ignored pleas to call her family, jailing her overnight. The next morning she was hauled from a two-room cottage to go on trial in the forecourt of the palatial offices of the Mayor, Wahidin Halim, where a large crowd was celebrating the city's anniversary.

"Everybody was watching," said Mrs Lindawati. She told the judge, Barmen Sinurat, she was not a prostitute. He demanded she empty her handbag, which contained face powder and lipstick.

"Then the judge said, 'There is powder and lipstick in your bag. That means you're lying to say that you are a housewife,' " she recounted. "I am hurt, insulted, because people think I am a prostitute. Please don't blame me if I put on make-up. Many housewives today put on make-up, otherwise our husbands will go away for another woman."

Her request to call her husband, a teacher at the local state school, was again rejected.

Striking his gavel three times, Judge Sinurat pronounced: "You are guilty. You are prostitute." Unable to pay a $40 fine, Mrs Lindawati was jailed for three days.

Mr Wahidin, brother of the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Hassan Wirayuda, was unmoved by Mrs Lindawati's plight.

"She could not prove she is not a prostitute," he told the Herald. "It is true when my men arrested her she was not committing adultery, but why does she put on such make-up?"

What's more, said Mr Wahidin, she wore tight clothes and "a good girl would not stand in the street with that kind of dress".

"The point is we can tell someone is a prostitute or not … They stand in the street moving their body, waving their hands, trying to attract people, seducing." Mr Wahidin denies the changes are political. There are rumours he will stand for regional governor and his morality bylaws have won support from powerful, Islamic-orientated parties.

A legal aid activist, Astuti Listyaningrum, said the show trial of Mrs Lindawati and 26 others was an abuse of the legal process. "Of course they looked terrible, looked terrified. Not because they are prostitutes, but because they were nervous," she said.

Despite the support of her neighbours, Mrs Lindawati now refuses to venture out. Other women have begun carrying letters from their employers explaining they must work late.

Her request to call her husband, a teacher at the local state school, was again rejected.

Striking his gavel three times, Judge Sinurat pronounced: "You are guilty. You are prostitute." Unable to pay a $40 fine, Mrs Lindawati was jailed for three days.

Mr Wahidin, brother of the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Hassan Wirayuda, was unmoved by Mrs Lindawati's plight.

"She could not prove she is not a prostitute," he told the Herald. "It is true when my men arrested her she was not committing adultery, but why does she put on such make-up?"

What's more, said Mr Wahidin, she wore tight clothes and "a good girl would not stand in the street with that kind of dress".

"The point is we can tell someone is a prostitute or not … They stand in the street moving their body, waving their hands, trying to attract people, seducing." Mr Wahidin denies the changes are political. There are rumours he will stand for regional governor and his morality bylaws have won support from powerful, Islamic-orientated parties.

A legal aid activist, Astuti Listyaningrum, said the show trial of Mrs Lindawati and 26 others was an abuse of the legal process. "Of course they looked terrible, looked terrified. Not because they are prostitutes, but because they were nervous," she said.

Despite the support of her neighbours, Mrs Lindawati now refuses to venture out. Other women have begun carrying letters from their employers explaining they must work late.

http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/1764/porno17re.jpg http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/4613/porno24bx.jpg


left: supporters of the bill
the banner says:
"The Characteristics of Animals:
1. Not ashamed of being naked in public
2. Not ashamed of having sex anywhere
No shame!!"

and the the one on the right reads
"the sake of money, sacrifice morality. For the sake of money, ignoring religion and morality."

right: opponents of the bill

"the pornography bill rapes the real Indonesian culture"

"the pornography bill is one of form of violence against women in Indonesia"

"oppose the politicisation of sex, oppose the bill!"

funny coz the article above is written by a person that i know.. charles honoris.,. ahaha

i think the whole anti-pornographic bill thing is really ridiculous.. indo has all these ridiculous laws like kissing laws.. anti-pornographic bill. etc etc.. i agree with rieke dyah pitaloka how the govt. is doing stupid things why doesnt he just pay more attention to more serious stuff like politics and economy?!

Voice of reason from the two biggest parties in parliament.

------------------------------------------------------------------


Big factions want porn bill changed


Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The two largest factions in the House of Representatives are expected to push for major changes to the pornography bill currently being deliberated, as the controversy over the issue continues to grow.

The Golkar Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) occupy 128 and 109 seats respectively in the 550-seat House.

Legislator Yuddy Chrisnandi of Golkar said his faction would likely push for the withdrawal of all articles regarding pornoaksi -- pornographic or obscene acts -- in the bill, the title of which is the Anti-Pornography and Pornographic Acts Bill.

It is unclear whether articles in the bill regulating non- pornoaksi -- pornography in the print and broadcast media and art -- would also be rejected.

"It is very difficult to define pornoaksi. How can we regulate something that cannot be defined?" he said Friday.

Yuddy said the articles detailing alleged obscene acts drew the most controversy because they encroached on the personal rights of individuals -- including their right to dress and behave.

While the party wanted changes to the legislation, Golkar members still wanted the bill deliberated by the House, Yuddy said.

Yuddy, who is a member of the House special committee deliberating the bill, said the Criminal Code did not have sufficient laws criminalizing pornography in the country.

"We need a particular law for this issue because we have to protect our children from pornography. Whether you like it or not, pornography has affected our children," he said.

Meanwhile, the PDI-P vowed to do the best it could to make major changes to the bill.

"We consider this a war. We will do whatever we can to prevent this draft being passed into law without changes," legislator Eva K. Sundari said.

Legislator Afridel Jinu said the PDI-P opposed all moves to attack freedom of expression.

The faction has decided to boycott the special committee meetings in Puncak, West Java, which are to be held this weekend.

"We are also planning a move to hold a vote of no confidence in the committee chairman, who has been very arrogant," Afridel said, referring to legislator Balkan Kaplale of the Democrat Party.

Balkan, who wants to finish the bill's deliberation in June, had turned down the PDI-P's request to give legislators more time to submit their list of contentious articles to the committee.

The draft bill has articles banning public kissing, depictions of nudity in public art, and could also fine women who refused to cover "sensitive" body parts like their hair, shoulders, midriffs and legs.

Violators risk jail terms and fines of up to Rp 2 billion (about US$214,000).

Non-Muslim groups in Bali and Papua have voiced strong opposition to the bill, calling it culturally insensitive, while women's groups have said it criminalizes female sexuality.

I always thought the Democrat Party was supposed to be progressive since SBY was its candidate. I see I was very wrong.

^^ just be patient, just because we haven't heard from PD doesn't mean that it supports it. He's only one legislator anyway in a group of 55. Probably got more to do with PD's animosity towards PDIP. Anyway, I've always thought that PD was just a collection of SBY's supporters but in fact lacking in substance.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Lombok ladies angry over 'moral police state'


Panca Nugraha, The Jakarta Post, Mataram, West Nusa Tanggara

About 300 people, mostly women, took to the streets Saturday in a loud protest against the antipornography bill, which they said degraded women, insulted many local cultures and threatened tourism.

They marched through the main streets to the provincial council building to file their petition, demanding that the House of Representatives in Jakarta toss the bill in the nearest dumpster.

Grouped in the Alliance of United People (ARB), the demonstrators expressed concern that the bill would provide a legal basis for the suppression of women's rights and kill the principle of gender equality.

"The bill is full of anomalies, especially in its definition of key issues. Why does the state want to serve as our morality police and repress women?" yelled one woman, Nyayu Erawati, the protest leader.

The protest caught some locals off guard because Lombok is known as a staunchly Muslim island and the bill has found its strongest support among Muslim groups in other parts of the country.

Three councillors met the protesters, but refused to sign a statement rejecting the bill. However, they conceded that they would discuss the demand with the other 52 council members.

Like neighboring Bali, Lombok depends heavily on tourism. Bali, where local culture has always been tolerant of discreet nudity in the fine arts, has fiercely rejected the bill for similar reasons. Some Balinese are so upset, they are now threatening to secede from Indonesia and become an independent state.

Many people in Lombok fear that if the bill, which carries a maximum jail term of 10 years and a Rp 2 billion fine, was passed, it would practically kill off the tourism industry and threaten the indigenous cultures.

"We would no longer be allowed to wear our traditional dresses," Suhaili Mahsun, a respected local figure, told Antara.

Local traditional attire for both women and men does not entirely cover parts of the body that the bill defines as "sensual", which mostly applies to women, such as thighs, hips, the navel and breasts.

"If that's what they (advocates of the bill) want, then Lombok would eventually lose its indigenous culture and identity," said Suhaili, who chairs the Senggigi Business Forum.

"The government and the house should focus on more pressing issues than this bill. The real pornography issues in the bill have been adequately addressed by the Criminal Code and other regulations."

The draft bill has articles banning public kissing, depictions of nudity in public art, and could also fine women who refused to cover "sensitive" body parts like their hair, shoulders, midriffs and legs.


omg i just realised this, does that mean that everyone will have to wear a jilbab (muslim headscarf)??

OMG THEY WANT INDONESIA TO BE A STRICT ISLAMIC COUNTRY! OH NO!!!!!!!!

OMG THEY WANT INDONESIA TO BE A STRICT ISLAMIC COUNTRY! OH NO!!!!!!!!
Sarcasm? Doesn't seem like a joking matter to me.

we better calm down and cool our head down when we see this matter. Calculate the probability of this bill getting passed in parliament, you 'know' who's supporting who is not. It looks like we are panicking here.

The Golkar Party and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) occupy 128 and 109 seats respectively in the 550-seat House.

OMG, they read my posts here....(joke)

Btw, no surprise to see all of this, afterall it is PKS that supported this bill and guess what? PKS has no friend right now, one of his member just breaking the DPR law by publicly mentioning about the fact that DPR members will have salary raise. And that one guy from PKS, blown out the story to the media, which is now creating a furious among the parties in DPR and i bet, almost all of those parties members dislike PKS!


cheers

Dont worry guys, i think we dont have to worry about the bill. This is just the 1st draft of the bill and it isnt final yet. The house is very open for any suggestions from the pro's and the con's, and there's likely some articles of the bill will be revised afterward.

According to detiknews (detik.com), the house has agreed to erased 11 contorversial articles where one of the article is about kissing and clothing, which creates the 2nd draft of the bill.

http://www.detiknews.com/index.php/detik.read/tahun/2006/bulan/03/tgl/12/time/173409/idnews/557208/idkanal/10

Dont worry guys, i think we dont have to worry about the bill. This is just the 1st draft of the bill and it isnt final yet. The house is very open for any suggestions from the pro's and the con's, and there's likely some articles of the bill will be revised afterward.

According to detiknews (detik.com), the house has agreed to erased 11 contorversial articles where one of the article is about kissing and clothing, which creates the 2nd draft of the bill.

http://www.detiknews.com/index.php/detik.read/tahun/2006/bulan/03/tgl/12/time/173409/idnews/557208/idkanal/10
:yes: :yes:

Jakarta - Panitia Khusus (Pansus) Rancangan Undang-Undang Anti Pornografi dan Pornoaksi (RUU APP) sepakat menghapuskan sejumlah pasal RUU itu yang kontroversial. Ada 11 pasal yang dihapus antara lain pasal soal ciuman dan pakaian.

Demikian disampaikan Ketua Pansus RUU APP DPR RI Balkan Kaplale di sela-sela diskusi tentang RUU APP di Kantor PP Muhammadiyah, Menteng, Jakarta, Minggu (12/3/2006).

Balkan menjelaskan, Pansus telah melakukan pertemuan untuk membahas kontroversi dan sejumlah masukan terhadap draf pertama RUU APP yang menghasilkan draf kedua RUU. Dalam draf pertama, RUU APP terdiri dari 11 bab dan 93 pasal. Hasil kesepakatan draf kedua, RUU APP menjadi terdiri dari 8 bab dan 82 pasal.

Pasal-pasal yang dihapuskan itu yakni pasal mengenai tindak pidana pornografi dan definisi pornografi dan pornoaksi. Pasal itu antara lain pasal soal pakaian dan ciuman di tempat umum.

"Itu tidak dimasukkan dalam UU-nya. Selama belum diatur oleh UU, polisi tidak akan punya payung hukum untuk mengusutnya," jelas Balkan.

Mengenai definisi Pansus sepakat mengembalikan definisi pornografi dan pornoaksi kepada definisi Yunani. Draf kedua berbunyi, pornografi berasal dari bahasa Yunani, porne yang artinya pelacur dan graphein yang artinya gambar atau tulisan.

"Sedangkan pornoaksi adalah pornografi yang dijual kepada masyarakat," kata Balkan.

Penghapusan pasal tersebut mengharuskan pembuatan 12 Peraturan Pemerintah (PP) yang harus disiapkan oleh 4 menteri dan kepolisian. Empat menteri tersebut yakni Kementerian Pemberdayaan Perempuan, Kementerian Pemuda dan Olahraga, Menteri Komunikasi dan Informasi dan Menteri Hukum dan HAM.

Draf kedua RUU itu juga mengakomodasi KUHP dan Perda-Perda yang sudah berlaku di masyarakat seperti Perda Nomor 5 Tahun 2002 di Batam.

"Kita juga menjadikan Tap MPR Nomor 6/VII/2002 tentang pembinaan kesatuan bangsa sebagai pertimbangan utama dalam RUU APP ini," jelas Balkan.

Di mana dan kapan pertemuan yang menghasilkan kesepakatan draf kedua itu, Balkan enggan menjelaskan. "Ada deh," katanya.

Namun, kata Balkan, kesepakatan draf kedua itu telah berhasil mengatasi konflik antar fraksi-fraksi di DPR yang sudah berlangsung 7 tahun.

"Delapan dari 10 fraksi setuju draf kedua, 1 fraksi yakni PDS izin (tidak datang), dan satu fraksi yakni PDIP masih konsultasi dengan Ketua Umum PDIP. Jadi tidak benar PDIP melakukan boikot," jelas Balkan.

Saat ini Pansus masih membuka kesempatan kepada masyarakat untuk memberikan masukan-masukan. Setelah itu masih ada daftar isian masalah (DIM) ketiga yang nantinya akan disinkronisasi lebih lanjut di Pansus DPR RI. Pansus akan kembali melakukan pembahasan RUU itu Senin, 13 Maret besok pukul 10.00 WIB di Gedung DPR.(iy)

source: http://www.detiknews.com/indexfr.php?url=http://www.detiknews.com/index.php/detik.read/tahun/2006/bulan/03/tgl/12/time/173409/idnews/557208/idkanal/10

speakin as a bule...

it s interestin to see your comments here and i m not surprised given the probable board demographic that all are against this bill.

however politically speakin it s keepin the chatterin classes busy while more price rises slip through...

i get my news from the jakarta post, don t laugh, and what would frustrate me if i was an indonesian is the silence from sby. he s the leader, where does he stand on this. as for the foreign minister s brother in tangerang...scary

the extremists have the pr, the government is keepin quiet. where is the debate?

indonesia is not even an islamic country. but i guess soon it would be..

The draft is now undergoing major overhaul, there will be no restriction for instance, kissing in public place. The criminal code is now also gone, there wont be any fines at all in respect of private life and human rights concern. I guess PDIP and Golkar really take this matter seriously. Good bye PKS.


Porn bill set to to undergo overhaul


Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Contentious clauses in the pornography bill, which has been assailed for encroaching on personal rights, will be dismantled as deliberations enter a critical stage, a House leader said Sunday.

Balkan Kaplele, the legislator and chairman of the special committee finalizing the bill, refused to specify which articles would be rewritten, but said the law would focus on general definitions of pornography and obscenity.

"We've taken quite a number of controversial clauses off the bill, particularly those which criminalize particular conduct," he said on the sidelines of a discussion on the bill with leaders of different religions, activists and politicians, held at Muslim organization Muhammadiyah's headquarters in Jakarta.

However, legislators are set to redefine the term pornography, considered vague and subject to varied interpretations under the bill.

The bill, initially proposed in 1999 and officially titled the Anti-Pornography and Pornographic Acts Bill, has gained its strongest support from orthodox Muslim groups. Thousands gathered Sunday at Al-Azhar mosque in South Jakarta to urge the government to quickly pass the bill into law.

Apart from the ambiguous definitions of pornography and obscenity, critics say the bill's contents infringe on personal freedoms, imperil the rights of women and threaten indigenous traditions and press freedom. They contend it could scare away tourists and lead to several provinces separating from the country because it imposes monolithic values on multicultural Indonesia.

The arts community has denounced the criminalization of sexuality in the arts, literature and media, an outright prohibition on nudity and the ban on revealing attire.

Balkan's promise of major changes followed an announcement Friday by the Golkar Party and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the two largest factions in the House, that they would strive to ensure it respected pluralism.

Another expected change is the removal of a clause on the establishment of an agency to oversee the implementation of standards of decency. Balkan said the task would be entrusted to the police.

"All breaches of the law on pornography and obscenity will be dealt with using the Criminal Code and relevant laws, while the police will have the authority to oversee the enforcement," he said.

Legislators have visited various parts of the country, including Bali, the site of the most vocal opposition to its contents, to gauge public opinion.

Muhammadiyah chairman Din Syamsuddin, who hosted the discussion, said the country needed a pornography law to "reverse the situation" of an increasingly liberal society.

"We are concerned by the moral liberalization that will lead the nation to the brink of collapse, unless it is stopped as soon as possible," he said.

Religious leaders urged proponents and opponents of the bill to eschew violence.

In its original form, the draft bill allowed the imposing of fines on women who refused to cover "sensitive" body parts, such as their hair, shoulders, midriffs and legs.

Violators risk jail terms and fines up to Rp 2 billion (about US$214,000).

I was just reading Kompas.com, the head of the MUI said that traditional indonesian costumes/dress that 'show sensitive parts' should be dumped to museums and should simpily be part of history because they constitute pornography. :eek2:

hmm, never thought anyone would have the guts (and incredible ignorance) to say that. What's next to be put in the museum?? our Pancasila and UUD45??

Oh i read that one in Kompas, it seems the MUI guy cant understand the different between wearing a shirt that show aurat and being naked/stripping. :bash:

read it here http://www.kompas.com/utama/news/0603/13/174110.htm

cheers

I was just reading Kompas.com, the head of the MUI said that traditional indonesian costumes/dress that 'show sensitive parts' should be dumped to museums and should simpily be part of history because they constitute pornography. :eek2:

hmm, never thought anyone would have the guts (and incredible ignorance) to say that. What's next to be put in the museum?? our Pancasila and UUD45??

yea I read that too, i was like.... what???? stupid.

this all sounds like a joke?

from www.thejakartapost.com

Porn bill now targets materials, not conduct


Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The pornography bill will focus on pornographic materials and their distribution, and do away with the vague definitions on content and personal conduct, the chairman of the House committee deliberating the bill said Monday.

Balkan Kaplale told The Jakarta Post that while there were disagreements among the committee members, they agreed that the bill should target curbing the distribution of pornographic materials.

"Pornographic products could be in the form of films, video cassettes, pictures printed and broadcast by mass media," Kaplale of the Democrat Party said prior to attending a meeting with his team and the legislative body.

However, his deputy, Agung Sasongko of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), said he walked out of an earlier committee meeting because it was not possible to begin redrafting the bill with input from the public still pouring in.

The PDI-P, the party which has expressed the most vocal opposition to the bill and controls 109 of 550 House seats, has requested a delay of at least six months from the committee's deadline for passage in April.

The executive director of the Center for Indonesian Law and Policy Studies, Bivitri Susanti, also urged legislators to focus on strict regulation of the distribution of pornography and the porn industry, instead of dealing with clamping down on obscene acts.

Vaguely defined clauses in the bill have only led to controversy, she said.

Last month an alliance of non-governmental organizations stated that while they did not consider such a bill a priority, they would support one which protected minors and clearly targeted the media industry selling pornographic materials.

The alliance included the Society Against Pornography, Family Friendly Media and Alliance against Pornography, as well as women's groups.

"The bill does not protect individuals from the more powerful media industry but instead criminalizes individuals, while the media industry maintains its privilege to sell pornographic products through special permits," they said, referring to a clause in the bill.

The bill has yet to protect minors from the distribution of pornographic materials in the media and on the Internet, they said.

from www.thejakartapost.com

Porn bill now targets materials, not conduct


Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The pornography bill will focus on pornographic materials and their distribution, and do away with the vague definitions on content and personal conduct, the chairman of the House committee deliberating the bill said Monday.

^^^^
If this turns out to be the result, then I am very, very relieved. Particularly about the aspects covering "personal conduct" .

In my personal opinion, in theoryI don’t think there should be a ban on what material we can watch, see, or hear. Including movies (violence, political, sex), music and of course, pornographic material. What right does anyone have to tell me – a mature adult – what I can and cannot watch, read, hear?

In practise however, I don’t think pornography adds anything to society (although it doesn't damage it either) and I am not a "user" (OK, in years gone by, but tell me who didn't when they were a teenage boy!! :laugh: ). So I am not too concerned about banning it Indonesia. Not good in theory, but not a disaster either.

And, as for allowing kids to see pornography, it should be tightened and more strictly controlled than what some people here are saying but there are many things more dangerous/important to our kids than naughty pictures. For my kids, although I won’t be happy if they do see porn, it is not as bad or important than drugs, the need for a good education, protection from sexual predators, happy upbringing and a healthy self-esteem, the need to teach kindness to others, good nutrition, road safety, etc, etc, etc, etc. So many things are more important for our kids than naughty pics/videos – what are the government doing about them?

Parties agree to scrap anti-porn bill articles
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Several House of Representatives factions have agreed to throw out articles in the pornography bill that criminalize personal conduct deemed indecent and allow for the establishment of a special anti-pornography body.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has voiced the most vocal opposition to the draft law. It and the National Awakening Party (PKB), the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the Democrat Party -- support the demands to scrap all articles that target behavior deemed indecent.

PDI-P legislator Eva K. Sundari said her party suggested that articles on these sanctions be included in a draft revision of the Criminal Code, which is due to be discussed later this year.

"The articles about criminal sanctions (on behavior judged obscene) would be regulated in the bill to revise the Criminal Code," she said Tuesday.

As a consequence, all articles on the establishment of an anti-pornography body would also be eliminated, Eva added.

The major supporters of the bill are conservative Muslim-based parties, including the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and the United Development Party (PPP).

Eva said the legislators wanted the bill to only rule on pornographic materials and industries in a bid to protect children.

"We have to make it formal. But we are still concerned about the paradigm of the bill. If the bill is to rule on the distribution of pornographic materials, it should be changed completely," she said.

Separately, deputy chairwoman of the House special team deliberating the bill, Chairunissa, confirmed there was an agreement to scrap such these articles as "we are still in the stage of listening to people's aspirations".

"It is still a long way before the bill is passed into law," she said.

A series of meetings by the special team last week only produced minor changes to the bill, including an agreement to change the title of the bill from the Anti-Pornography and Pornoaksi (indecent acts) Bill into either the Bill on Pornography or the Bill on Pornography and Pornoaksi.

The team did not discuss the substance of the bill during the three-day meeting, which was boycotted by PDI-P representatives. Neither did the team compile a list of contentious articles for further debate.

Meanwhile, several Muslim clerics from South Sulawesi met with the special committee deliberating the bill to express their support for the legislation.

"Please, don't go back (on the bill). We need it because pornography has intruded on our children's lives," said a cleric, Sirajudin.

Legislator Balkan Kaplale, who chairs the House special committee, has repeatedly said the bill would be passed into law by June. However, it is now unlikely the deadline will be met as the House will enter its recess period next week.

Legislators must produce a list of contentious articles in the bill before they submit it to the government.

After this, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is expected to issue a presidential letter to approve the deliberation of the bill and appoint ministers to represent the government in deliberating it with the House.

The bill has drawn controversy because it bans a series of acts including kissing in public and nudity in public art, and also could punish people for how they dress.

^^ So what exactly does that mean? Are the "conduct" components officially been dropped, most likely to be dropped, or still possible to be included? The article starts off being postive yet, there still seems to be strong support for it. Ie, if PDI-P, PAN and PKB all oppose the "conduct" section, is that a majority?

Can someone interpret?

As i said earlier, i'm against banning of ponography in principle, but in pracitise, i would not be bothered if it was banned. HOWEVER, the "conduct" (clothing, hugging, kissing in public) thing DOES concern me.

^^ So what exactly does that mean? Are the "conduct" components officially been dropped, most likely to be dropped, or still possible to be included? The article starts off being postive yet, there still seems to be strong support for it. Ie, if PDI-P, PAN and PKB all oppose the "conduct" section, is that a majority?

Can someone interpret?

As i said earlier, i'm against banning of ponography in principle, but in pracitise, i would not be bothered if it was banned. HOWEVER, the "conduct" (clothing, hugging, kissing in public) thing DOES concern me.

Hey Anton,

All the provisions regarding the regulation of 'conduct' has been scrapped in the current draft and I judge the likelihood of them being reintroduced and passed as law to be nil. There's just too much opposition from all the main parties - PDIP, Golkar, PKB, PAN etc. These four parties control about 330 out of 550 seats in Parliament, and presumably, Democrat Party (Yudhoyono's party) opposes it too.

THe only supporters of the bill in its original form are PKS and PPP - combined they have about 100 seats in Parliament, certainly not enough to constitute a majority.

There's also the possibility that even in its current form, the bill won't pass anyway because of staunch opposition from the Bali chapters of the major political parties (even if the law only regulated porno publications etc.)

There are calls now for a complete overhaul to the provisions so as not to discriminate women - this is coming from the Women's Affairs Minister and Yenny Wahid, daughter of former pres Wahid and presidential adviser to Yudhoyono. I think that gives you the clearest idea as to what the President himself thinks of this matter.

Thanks Alvin. This is helpful

Hey Anton,

All the provisions regarding the regulation of 'conduct' has been scrapped in the current draft and I judge the likelihood of them being reintroduced and passed as law to be nil. There's just too much opposition from all the main parties - PDIP, Golkar, PKB, PAN etc. These four parties control about 330 out of 550 seats in Parliament, and presumably, Democrat Party (Yudhoyono's party) opposes it too.

That's great news. Sure, Indonesia is a "conservative" country - not only because of Islam - and everyone should moderate their "conduct" accordingly. But to prescribe in law it is wrong as it is completly against the piush towards an open society. (a society can be open AND morally conservative - no conflict).

Anyway, who says showing shoulders is immoral? I know plenty people who show their shoulders and have the HIGHEST moral character and are a credit to humanity. If people don't want to show their shoulders that is FINE. As for those religious facists blaming women for erections #^&#^&@)!@$!. That's nuts. They should take some responsibility for your their actions and thoughts.


THe only supporters of the bill in its original form are PKS and PPP - combined they have about 100 seats in Parliament, certainly not enough to constitute a majority.

There's also the possibility that even in its current form, the bill won't pass anyway because of staunch opposition from the Bali chapters of the major political parties (even if the law only regulated porno publications etc.)

There are calls now for a complete overhaul to the provisions so as not to discriminate women - this is coming from the Women's Affairs Minister and Yenny Wahid, daughter of former pres Wahid and presidential adviser to Yudhoyono. I think that gives you the clearest idea as to what the President himself thinks of this matter.

^^ So the only part left is the ponographic material component? Why does this concern people such as the Balinese and women's groups?

^^ So the only part left is the ponographic material component? Why does this concern people such as the Balinese and women's groups?

good question. hmm. I think they're just wary about the intentions of people who brought this idea in the first place. I don't know the exact wording of the legislation, but some comments were made that suggested that even the 'acceptable' parts were somehow discriminatory against women. (I guess the concept of pornography itself is fundamentally biased against the female sex).

^^to add to the debate, former president Wahid made a comment from hospital that the bill violates the constitution as the constitution 'makes no distinction between men and women'. He said he will fight for its amendment if it gets passed as law.
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Govt states porn bill must target materials


The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Denpasar/Surakarta

The government made its position clear on the pornography bill on Wednesday, stating the focus should be on limiting distribution of obscene materials instead of criminalizing personal conduct, particularly of women.

"The government believes the eventual anti-porn law should be effective in protecting the nation from excessive exposure to pornographic material, thus it should touch more on how to regulate its distribution," State Minister for Women's Empowerment Meutia Hatta Swasono said after accompanying President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in a meeting with the National Commission on Violence Against Women.

The special House committee deliberating the bill recently said the vague definitions, particularly defining "obscene" conduct, would be scrapped.

The bill has been criticized for imperiling the rights of women, already under pressure from the introduction of sharia regulations on dress and public conduct in scattered areas of the country.

"We also ask ... that women are treated fairly, it's as if they are blamed by the way they dress," Meutia said, in a rare reinforcement of the government's stated policies toward equal treatment of women.

The minister said limiting the distribution of materials considered obscene was essential to protecting minors from exposure to potentially harmful images.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle has been most vocal in its opposition to the bill, sharing the stance of women's groups and the arts community.

In contrast, the Prosperous Justice Party is among the few parties left in pushing for retention of the contentious articles. The Islamic-oriented party says the Criminal Code is inadequate in protecting minors and in preventing what it considers the country's increasing moral degradation.

The bill's proponents also dismiss claims that it presents a monolithic value system for multicultural Indonesia, and argue opponents ignore the aim of the "greater good" of preventing sexual exploitation and immorality.

On Wednesday, Bali Governor Dewa Made Beratha and council speaker IBP Wesnawa stated their official rejection of the bill and its deliberation. Artists and activists have protested a number of times in the province, including in a noisy, crowded hearing and plenary session at the provincial legislative council on Wednesday.

The governor said the future law "might put Balinese cultural heritage and sacred religious objects in danger of legal prosecution".

The governor was angered by the pursuance of a legal grievance from a Muslim organization, the Majelis Mujahidin Indonesia, who accused him as showing separatist tendencies in his opposition to the bill.

In the Central Java town of Surakarta, at least 1,000 artists, students and activists protested the bill, with about 500 tayub traditional dancers joining the parade.

Murtdijono, the organizer and head of the Central Java Cultural Center, feared the passage of the bill into law would lead to moral crusaders patrolling the streets unhindered.

"Members of militant groups will feel they have legal grounds to act as they like toward artists and their works due to a one sided interpretation, at a time when law enforcement is very weak," he said.

(I guess the concept of pornography itself is fundamentally biased against the female sex).

maybe it was gay-male porno they were concerned about - can't get more anti-woman than that ;) he he

^^to add to the debate, former president Wahid made a comment from hospital that the bill violates the constitution as the constitution 'makes no distinction between men and women'. He said he will fight for its amendment if it gets passed as law..

Good to see some sanity finally. :D

Speaking of things, here is one of the most popular photos on Yahoo right now:

http://us.news3.yimg.com/us.i2.yimg.com/p/rids/20060316/i/r3302976979.jpg?x=247&y=345&sig=F1yN4igM7eWn_whnIU_H3Q--

An Indonesian model in swimsuit poses for photographers during a beach fashion show presented by MarediModa, Europe's leading beachwear producers, in Nusa Dua, Bali March 16, 2006. REUTERS/Bagus Othman

OMG!!!! PORNOGRAPHY!!!!!!!!!!!!
BAN! BAN! BAN!! BURN BURN BURN!!!!
ARGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*CLOSE EYES*

blah..

OMG!!!! PORNOGRAPHY!!!!!!!!!!!!
BAN! BAN! BAN!! BURN BURN BURN!!!!
ARGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*CLOSE EYES*

blah..

lol

yeah zoorabel – posting that “gave me an erection” and you are responsible (not me)!!! ;)


He he

My gosh, that woman deserves the maximum 5 year jail penalty for that obscenity!! :hammer:

My gosh, that woman deserves the maximum 5 year jail penalty for that obscenity!! :hammer:

^^ SHe's clearly a prostitute ;) :laugh:

I'm going to propose UU ARI (Undang Undang Anti-Rhoma Irama). Anyone else want to support this UU?

Bukannya UUABDRI (Undang Undang Anti Bulu Dada Rhoma Irama).

Those that read the joke thread will understand... hehe

Indonesia's trouble with pornography
785 words
21 March 2006
Guardian Unlimited
English
Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2006. All rights reserved
Indonesia's Islamic conservatives have run into trouble in their attempts to clamp down on pornography, writes John Aglionby.

Indonesia's burgeoning conservative Islamic movement, which had been on a fairly steep upward trajectory over the last few years, has encountered its first significant roadblock. How the situation is resolved is likely to shape socio-political dynamics for the next few years in the world's most-populous but largely moderate Muslim nation.

Causing ructions is not some aspect of theology, but an attempt to enact a wide-ranging anti-pornography bill.

The legislation has sparked such a vehement backlash that its proponents, the Islamic-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and a slew of Muslim organisations, are having to beat a somewhat undignified retreat. By Indonesian standards, where building consensus and not causing loss of face are fundamental social tenets and few people outside a liberal minority dare challenge the Islamic establishment, the strength of feeling is almost unprecedented.

The opposition is a motley coalition of women's rights groups, representatives from minority religions, the tourism industry, press freedom activists, the arts community and defenders of traditional culture.

None of them dispute that pornography is so widely available in Indonesia's mainstream media it needs to be reined in somehow.

There are, for example, few western countries that would show a posse of secondary school students watching a porn film in mid-afternoon and becoming so aroused they pair off couple by couple to go and have sex. Yet this scene appeared recently on an Indonesian soap opera. The fact that it was broadcast in the evening means little in a country where few children go to bed before 9pm.

Some of the bill's opponents argue that it is not more legislation that is needed, but better enforcement of existing regulations. Some newspapers, for instance, openly advertise massages that leave nothing to the imagination, and the police make virtually no attempt to clamp down on the numerous pirated porn film street vendors.

Many more secular politicians and activists say the bill's supporters are not really interested in the legislation per se but more in being seen to be doing something about pornography to burnish their Islamic credentials.

As evidence, they point to the fact that the bill's definition of pornography is so vague it does not clearly differentiate between pornography, obscenity and eroticism. But the biggest gripe is with the articles on what is known locally as pornoaksi, or pornographic actions. These, the opposition argue, massively curtail individuals' rights, and particularly those of women.

The bill states not only that anyone engaging in obscene public acts such as spouses kissing, women showing their navels and people sunbathing could be arrested, but it also says that anyone has the right to detain the offenders.

It also brands as pornographic traditional dancing, such as the hip-gyrating moves that often accompany the folk-pop dangdut music and is hugely popular with the lower classes, visual art and performances depicting people not fully clothed and local costumes from Javanese outfits where women bare their shoulders to those of Papuans who wear nothing but a penis sheath.

Women's groups say women are targeted unfairly, artists say the bill would kill off their profession and almost everyone on Bali is so fearful that their economy would collapse that even the provincial governor has seriously raised the possibility of the resort island seceding from Indonesia if the legislation is passed.

Thousands-strong demonstrations demanding the bill be revised or even dropped have out-numbered the pro-legislation rallies.

The complaints are hitting home. The vice president, Jusuf Kalla, yesterday tried to reassure the Balinese by saying that the government does not support everything in the bill. Members of the parliamentary committee hearing civil society views on the bill have told Guardian Unlimited that virtually all of the pornoaksi articles have been withdrawn, and the two largest parties in parliament, Golkar and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, are in rare agreement that the bill needs major revisions.

Resolution of the crisis is, however, nowhere in sight. Parliament goes into recess next week for a month and weeks of hearings are scheduled after that. The bill's advocates are expected to use that time to drum up support from across the country.

It is doubtful it will do them any good though. A more likely outcome is that parties like PKS, which soared from 2% of the vote in the 1999 general election to 9% in 2004, will have to modify its Islam-dominated message even further than it has already if it wants to become a really significant nation-level political force.

North Sulawesi, East Nusa Tenggara, Papua, and Bali all oppose the anti-pornography bill.

---

North Sulawesi opposes porn bill
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

North Sulawesi has formally expressed its opposition to the pornography bill and at least three other provinces are expected to follow suit, lawmakers said over the weekend.

The deputy speaker of the North Sulawesi Council, Djenri A. Keintjem, said House speaker Agung Laksono had been officially informed about the stance of the provincial legislature.

The bill has met with strong opposition from various sectors of the North Sulawesi community for its vague definition of what constitutes pornography and its content, which is seen as incompatible with local culture.

"The law is not needed because the contentious issues have been covered by existing laws, such as the Broadcasting Law, the Press Law, the Child Protection Law and the Criminal Code," Djenri was quoted by Antara as saying.

In Jakarta, legislator Alfridel Jinu of the Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), who is also a member of the team deliberating the bill, said that Bali, Papua and East Nusa Tenggara provinces were expected to formally oppose the bill.

"They have made it clear they will reject the bill as well," he said.

The Bali provincial government has openly rejected the bill on the grounds that it is incompatible with the local culture and Hinduism, the religion of most Balinese, and that it may threaten the province's tourist industry, which is its economic lifeline.

East Nusa Tenggara and Papua have also aired objections for similar reasons.

PDI-P, which enjoys strong support in the four provinces, has hinted it may reject the bill. The political faction in the House that has openly supported the bill is the Islam-based Prosperous Justice Party, while other parties have not made up their minds.

The bill is currently being introduced in the provinces and will be finalized based on input from the regions and from various experts.

Last week, House Speaker Agung Laksono promised that the House would "be prudent and careful" in deliberating the bill to accommodate the interests of as many sectors as possible.

"We will work on the draft before submitting it to the government for further deliberation," he said.

In Jakarta on Sunday, about 1,000 people rallied to support the bill that critics say is a threat to the secular and moderate traditions of the world's most populous Muslim nation.

The protesters, including many women and young children, chanted "We refuse pornography!" as they gathered under gloomy skies in Jakarta to press the House to pass the bill, which is supported by conservative Islamic politicians and preachers.

"Those who only see this issue from a human rights, liberal and secular point of view are trying to disrupt efforts to curb pornography," Ma'ruf Amin, a member of the Indonesian Ulema Council, was quoted by AP as saying.

The bill bans pornography and calls for prison terms and fines for kissing in public, exposure of a woman's "sensual" body parts and the display of "erotic" artworks.

Some women's and human rights groups say the bill would be a serious blow for rights and artistic freedoms, and is an attempt to impose elements of Islamic sharia law in the country.

Amin, however, said activists "only want to limit those (artists) who tend toward obscene acts, which carry enormous social costs."

The vague terminology used in the bill has led to fears that traditional dancing, skimpy clothing and even bathing in rivers could be declared illegal.

The country already has laws banning pornography, and critics say police should simply enforce them better.

The country already has laws banning pornography, and critics say police should simply enforce them better.

Yes, the first time i arrived in indonesia 10 years ago i remember seeing this on the incoming passenger arrival card, along with video, disks, and chinese characters being banned or subject to censorship.

I also remember the very sad tale of a friend who when she was 18 arrived back home in Indonesia with a video tape of her exchange year in the united states. SHe didn't have a lot of money - the exchange was sponsored - and she didn't have the Rp. 200,000 (1993!!) on her at the time so the video could be watched for "nasties", so she had to give up her video of beloved memories. An 18 year old female from a small town in jateng is hardly going to have porno's on her home video of her tavels. :ohno: SHe is still sad about it today.

What is wrong with the current laws? Isn't the problem enforcement? Even in Australia, where pornagraphy is legal, access to it by minors is more strictly enforced.

So why can't the existing laws be enforced and access tightened up? Well, i know the answer really - it's a good opportunity for the ultra-conservative elements to enforce their views onto others.

Those ultra-conservative people should be monitored closely. They will remain a pain in the ass in the future.

I guess that some of those people want a Iranian like system or something of that range............the people that wish that should be intimidated, obstructed by the Indo Secret Service

Those ultra-conservative people should be monitored closely. They will remain a pain in the ass in the future.

I guess that some of those people want a Iranian like system or something of that range............the people that wish that should be intimidated, obstructed by the Indo Secret Service

Yeah, there's merit in Suharto's systematic indoctrination of the UUD 45 and the forced imposition of Pancasila as a single, unchallenged ideology. it screams authoritarian rule and lack of freedom of expression, but at least it united people on a set of uniform values. Unlike today, where these principles are continuously being questioned by hardline groups - groups that were clearly stamped out during Sukarno& Suharto's secular regimes.

Yeah, there's merit in Suharto's systematic indoctrination of the UUD 45 and the forced imposition of Pancasila as a single, unchallenged ideology. it screams authoritarian rule and lack of freedom of expression, but at least it united people on a set of uniform values. Unlike today, where these principles are continuously being questioned by hardline groups - groups that were clearly stamped out during Sukarno& Suharto's secular regimes.

Perhaps this has to be expected under democracy – ie, you have to accept opinions that you don’t like as well as those you do like.

And, rather than “stamping out” these opinions they have to be fought through debate and example, showing how they are not the way for an open society to frame itself. But that takes more courage from more people than simply relying on the Government to do it. In fact the people who are going to be most influential – but also for it is most difficult – are moderate Muslims (or moderates in any other group that has noisy fundamentalist elements) across the community

Perhaps this has to be expected under democracy – ie, you have to accept opinions that you don’t like as well as those you do like.

And, rather than “stamping out” these opinions they have to be fought through debate and example, showing how they are not the way for an open society to frame itself. But that takes more courage from more people than simply relying on the Government to do it. In fact the people who are going to be most influential – but also for it is most difficult – are moderate Muslims (or moderates in any other group that has noisy fundamentalist elements) across the community

I suppose that's the ideal. But you can't help but question whether Indonesia is ready for western style full-fledged democracy, given the low education level of its people and weak administrative/law enforcement institutions. The low education reinforces Indonesians' feudal/colonial mentality - i.e. following leaders rather than forming their own rational opinion. Add poverty and you have the perfect recipe for disaster if the spread of these radical beliefs are not kept in check.

Anti-pornograpy laws in Indonesia stir debate about an open society
By Shawn Donnan and Taufan Hidayat
Published: March 31 2006 03:00 | Last updated: March 31 2006 03:00

Since taking office as Indonesia's sixth president 17 months ago, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has grown from a former general into agraft-buster, an economic reformer and a peacemaker. Now add social conservative to the list.


Addressing a Jakarta audience last week, Mr Yudhoyono complained about young women baring belly buttons in public and recounted how a singer hired for a presidential event had been sent packing for exposing her navel. "I was disturbed," he said. "I told her to go home. And she did just that without having the chance to sing a song."

What Mr Yudhoyono was homing in on - and not for the first time - was more than a question of fashion. He was entering a national debate over draft anti-pornography legislation before Indonesia's parliament.

It is a debate that has become about much more than regulating smut. It could help solidify Indonesia's credentials as one of the Islamic world's great moderating voices - as Tony Blair, the British prime minister, described the archipelago during his visit yesterday. Or, should it unfold differently, it could add to fears that conservative Islamic voices are gaining traction. "The idea of [Indonesia as] an open society is being debated here," says Bambang Harymurti, editor-in-chief of the respected Tempo news magazine.

Faced with what some see as moral slippage since the 1998 fall of strongman Suharto and the introduction of unheard-of freedoms, Islamic conservatives last year revived anti-pornography legislation introduced in the dying days of the regime.

Rather than sticking to regulating films or magazines such as an Indonesian edition of Playboy, due to make its debut next month, they expanded it to cover behaviour and clothing. As a result, the law is seen by many as a back-door attempt to codify Islamic law, something Indonesians have repeatedly rejected.

Under the draft law, kissing in public is punishable by up to five years in jail and a $50,000 fine while showing "sensual" body parts, such as a bit of belly, hip or thigh, could mean a 10-year jail sentence. Moving "erotically" is banned. So too are "public nudity" and depictions of nudity, something thatartists fear.

Advocates of the law say they are trying to protect Indonesians from western excesses. Yoyoh Yusro, deputy chairwoman of aspecial parliamentary committee pushing the legislation, says: "By eradicating pornography, hopefully we can boost the performance and achievement of our young generation."

Others, however, see it as the latest attempt by Islamic conservatives to score gains in Indonesia, where a historically pragmatic attitude towards mixing Koranic edicts with Animism, Buddhism and Hinduism-infused indigenous traditions has long made it a looser tropical cousin to the more rigid Middle Eastern Islam.

Conservative and radical Islamic groups have had an increasingly public presence since the 1998 fall of Suharto. Officials also still have a tendency to take a rigid approach to enforcing laws governing religion - now jailed in East Java is a former boxer convicted of heresy for leading Muslim prayers in Indonesian rather than Arabic.

But this time conservative Muslims have been met with an angry response from artists, ethnic minorities, performers, tourism workers and women peeved at the idea the bill would regulate how they live and dress and - in the case of Balinese hotel workers - potentially ruin their livelihoods by deterring bikini-clad tourists. "We see the bill as state intervention into a private area of people's lives," says Vivi Widyawati, a feminist activist.

It is the first time in recent history that Indonesia's moderate majority has pushed back against the increasingly vocal conservative minority. "You have a lot of people now saying: 'This is a real watershed. This is a test case over whether we are going to roll over and play dead or whether we are going to resist further Islamicisation'," says Sidney Jones, a long-time Indonesia watcher and analyst for the International Crisis Group. "The thing you cannot identify this as, God forbid, is a battle for the soul of Islam. It's not moderate Muslims versus conservative Muslims. It's conservative Muslims versus everyone else."

Additional reporting byTaufan Hidayat

Hmm i wonder which Party the author is referring too.
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Will the real government of RI please stand up!


B. Herry-Priyono, Jakarta

Imagine you were a newcomer to Indonesia. Like any new arrival in a new place, the first few weeks may be filled with excitement about newly found experiences. Then the reality principle sets in, and these days you probably would observe a brouhaha caused by fierce fights over a bill on pornography. Back home, such a bill may be a matter of fact, for it is simply common sense that the sales of pornographic materials must be regulated. So, why such a fuss?

This is a land of the extremes. Many aspects of public life in Indonesia have recently been pounded by a wave of extremism. The need for a strong government has been turned into authoritarianism, the expansion of a market economy has been taken as a license for market fundamentalism, and the clamor for civil society has been twisted into communal tribalism. The controversy over the porn bill is part of the story, not of authoritarianism and market fundamentalism, but of communal tribalism.

As many observers have correctly noted, the bill has nothing to do with the regulation of pornography. My colleague at the Driyarkara School of Philosophy, Franz Magnis-Suseno, has offered an acid test. If indeed the bill has something to do with that noble effort, it must be able to distinguish between "pornography", "sensuality" and "eroticism". Nay, the bill has failed the test, and failed miserably (The Jakarta Post, March 10, 2006). What is the bill about then?

It is here that opinions differ. Not a few accounts seem to have understood the issue as rooted in the problem of state authoritarianism, and the porn bill is simply another case of the stubbornly authoritarian state that refuses to die out. In the process of firming up its grip, the state is trying, yet again, to encroach on the private lives of citizens in matters of how to dress and present their bodies or parts of their bodies in public. In this view, the struggle is directed against the draconian tendency of the state, and the banners are littered with "state terrorism" jargons.

Of course, a struggle against the porn bill has to start from somewhere. And if the starting point is a resistance against state authoritarianism, so be it. But as the causal factors begin to show up more plainly, it is somewhat clear that calling the porn bill a form of state authoritarianism is like barking up the wrong tree.

Let us start with a simple question: who is the state? The state does not and cannot act! It is the people within the state institutions who act. To say that "the state encroaches on the private lives of the citizens" is simply shorthand for saying that "policy makers within the state institutions" do so. But who are these policy makers? Are they people from the executive, legislative or judiciary bodies? In all likelihood, there is not even a uniform voice; not within the legislative, the executive or judiciary branches.

In many respects, branding the porn bill state terrorism is like calling an empty room a terrorist. The state is an arena, quite like a boxing ring. As much as the boxing is conducted by the boxers, and not by the arena, so is the porn bill devised not by the state, but by the people within the state institutions. These people may assemble in one, two, three or many political parties, or they could assemble as an alliance of diverse interests. In any case, it is against this specific alliance, and not against the state as an impersonal institution, that the struggle should be waged.

No doubt the task of identifying the political alliance that thoughtlessly advances the porn bill is wrought with dangers. Very often the truth in politics can be gauged not from what appears, but from a hypothetical image that has plausibility in the visceral world. So, let us imagine that for sometime I have been running a political party in a country called Megalomania, whose population suffers so much from miseria (misery). In the process of winning the support of grassroots citizens, I could not but base the platform of my party on a compassionate ideology.

But of course, motive plays a quite outrageous part in politics. It is only me and my trusted lieutenants who know exactly that the time has arrived for the party to launch a more specific agenda, that is, to conquer the land of Megalomania with a rule based on what is written in the Holy Book that I and my lieutenants believe. Other people may call it theocracy or religious bigotry, but let them go to hell, for I and my lieutenants call it a purified way of practicing religion.

After the tireless work done by my followers at the grassroots level, there seems to be enough support for a showdown. For sometime I have observed that the pages and screens of the media in the Republic of Megalomania have been crowded out by a certain orgy of carnal knowledge, which may be part of the application of market fundamentalism in the media industry. This orgy of carnal knowledge is strictly outlawed by the sacred texts of my Holy Books. For some time my supporters have infiltrated several religious groups that will back my cause.

In a series of concerted moves, I command my supporters to start working, and those in the legislature with a specific mission of pushing the anti-pornography bill. Of course there will be strong resistance. But I have asked my followers to re-direct and turn it into anti-state protests. This country has a vivid image of authoritarianism, and it is good that the minds of those activists and intellectuals remain stuck to this anti-state authoritarianism way of thinking and talking.

The louder they yell "state terrorism" slogans for the bill I have masterminded, the better. My lieutenants and I will be able to hide safely then.

As for the President, why on earth is he so quiet? I hope he is aware that when the porn bill is called "state terrorism", it is his government that is accused of being a terrorist. Will the real government please stand up, and help to grill the porn bill?
The writer is a postgraduate lecturer at the Driyarkara School of Philosophy, Jakarta.


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INDONESIA: EVEN SUPPORTERS THINK ANTI-PORN BILL GOES TOO FAR
By Kalinga Seneviratne
934 words
3 April 2006
Inter Press Service
English
(c) 2006 Global Information Network
JAKARTA, Apr. 3, 2006 (IPS/GIN) -- Artists, broadcasters and a professional Muslim women's group are calling for rejection of an anti-pornography bill introduced in parliament by conservative Islamic groups, although some say they support the bill with revisions.

The bill, initially drafted in 1999 following the overthrow of the long-serving dictator Suharto in the previous year, was reintroduced in parliament in February. It has already been revised and is expected to be ready by June.

Balkan Kaplale, member in the house of representatives and chairman of a special committee on the bill, told Tempo magazine last month that more than 85 percent of 167 organizations and public figures questioned supported the bill. "Why can't the rest adjust to the majority voice?" asked the former school principal.

Prominent figures have worked to steer the debate away from religion. "This bill is very important not only to stop real (hardcore) porn reaching the public, but also enable regulation of elements of porn in the common media. Regulations should be directed at how it is distributed," Ade Armando, a member of the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI), told IPS.

The anti-pornography bill should not be seen as merely an Islamic versus non-Islamic morality issue, argues Ignatius Haryanto, founder of the Institute for Press and Development Studies. Rather than focusing on Sharia law, one should look at "how the bill can protect the rich and colorful cultural background of Indonesia."

Indonesia may be the world's largest Muslim country, but its traditional arts have strong liberal Hindu and Buddhist values, since many parts of the archipelago supported a thriving Hindu, and later Buddhist, civilization before the arrival of Islam.

Artists have been at the forefront of opposition to the bill. They fear that unique art forms will vanish if the anti-pornography bill passes in its present form.

During an artists' protest last month, organizer Mugiono Kasido said that dancers rejected the bill because, if passed, "traditional dances like tayub, ledek and lengger, which are still performed in central Java, will be condemned because the choreography is categorized as sensual or inciting lust."

Indonesians often describe themselves as "secular Muslims" -- meaning they are liberal. This attitude towards their religion is reflected in the increasing number of Islamic intellectuals -- both men and women -- who are taking part in the debate on the bill.

Last week, the women professionals group SALIMAH (Muslim Sisterhood), held a day-long deliberation to draft a response to the anti-pornography bill. Speaking to IPS during the meeting, a spokeswoman for the group, Inke Maris, a former television presenter and currently a strategic communications consultant, explained that the bill excludes traditional modes of dress, ethnic traditions and rituals.

"We Muslims have certain sensitivities to the way we dress and present ourselves. In Indonesia we have a choice," she argued. "The bill needs to be revised because the definitions of erotic and sensual acts are not specific enough and prone to subjective interpretation."

Maris said that SALIMAH supports the bill because there is deep concern in the community to protect women and children from the pornography industry. "Pornography is available in the streets cheap. Five VCDs could be brought for 10,000 rupiah (little more than one U.S. dollar) anyone can buy even (those that feature) children," she pointed out. "What is important is to tighten definitions in the bill to stop sexual exploitation for commercial purposes."

While an Indonesian version of Playboy is expected to be launched in April here, far more explicit local magazines with pictures of bikini-clad Indonesian women are freely available. Indonesian TV has also become increasingly sexually explicit in its programming in recent years, which prompted a KPI discussion this month to encourage parents to control the TV-watching habits of their children.

Wahyutama (who uses one name following Indonesian custom), a member of the Say No To Pornography Committee, an Islamic non-governmental organization, told IPS that they have been conducting road shows in high schools here to train young people on ways to handle pornography and how not to get addicted to it.

"Most anti-pornography activists are Muslims but, we're saying it's not a problem for Muslims only, it's a social and moral issue. We must not look at it merely from a religious perspective, but as a social problem. We need to control the free availability of this material," he said.

Amidhan, chairman of the Indonesian Ulema (Islamic Community) Council, believes that there are two reasons for deliberations on this bill. One is that people in Indonesia no longer think pornography is taboo and the other is how to filter the impact of globalization on the local cultures and identities.

"Actually, press freedom has nothing to do with pornography, but it has become difficult to differentiate between magazines that are journalistic creations providing information to the public and pornographic publications," Amidhan said.

The problem with the bill in its present form, argues the broadcast commission's Armando, is that "it wants to ban not only sexually arousing material in the media, but also sexually arousing behavior in public such as kissing and the dress (of women)."

Meanwhile, the predominantly Hindu tourist island of Bali has threatened to secede from the Indonesian republic if the bill passes in its present form. Its governor Dewa Beratha told Tempo that "all elements of Balinese society rejected the bill because there was a fundamental philosophical problem which is not in line with the philosophy of the Balinese people."

NU youths, leaders at odds over bill
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Defying the stance taken by Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) leaders, moderate young activists from the nation's biggest Muslim organization say they oppose the controversial pornography bill.

Grouped in the NU Youth Forum, the activists said the House of Representatives should address issues more urgent than the much-debated legislation.

The forum urged the NU to carefully consider its support of the bill, which the critics have said does not take into account Indonesia's cultural, religious and ethnic diversity and its tradition of secularism.

In a statement, the activists accused the NU leaders of straying from the organization's original mission of promoting nationalism and human rights by supporting the bill.

"Morality does not only include religious values but also the development of society," NU Youth Forum coordinator Zuhairi Misrawi told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

He said a person's moral values were personal and should not be enforced by law.

Earlier, NU central board leader Hasyim Muzadi joined the chorus of support for the bill from conservative Muslims, saying the draft legislation should be passed soon.

"We must not sacrifice morality in the name of diversity, but we also cannot be too strict about morality," he said.

Hasyim said exceptions must be made in implementing the bill to accommodate tourism and other cultures.

"We need to create an equilibrium of perceptions between morality and diversity."

The forum, meanwhile, called on the government and the House to prioritize efforts to resolve crucial national problems.

Starvation, rampant corruption, and the state's inability to ensure people's access to an affordable education, were far more important than a morals bill, it said.

Perceptions of pornography depended on a person's individual values, the activists said. "That's why the matter should be dealt with through the education system and by religious organizations, not through laws imposing certain values on others."

The Criminal Code, the Child Protection Law, Domestic Violence Law and regulations on broadcasting, the press and films, all had articles dealing with the problem, they said.

Women were targeted of the bill because they could be arrested for how they dressed, forum member Abdul Moqsith Ghazali said.

"Those who are already victims of exploitation in the pornography (industry) will undergo further scrutiny due to this law," he said.

Moqsith, who is also a member of the Liberal Islam Network (JIL), said the bill did not deal with people creating and distributing pornography.

Former NU chairman and president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid said the legislation would curb people's freedom of expression, which was protected by the Constitution.

"If the bill is passed into law, I will start and lead efforts to amend the law because it would violate our Constitution," he said. (10)

Islamist Creep in Indonesia
A scandal threatens the fragile, young democratic nature of the country.

When Indonesia passed a strict antipornography bill in 2008, many feared radical Islamic groups would use it to impose their values on the public at large. If the case currently hitting the headlines is any indication, they were right.

On Wednesday police charged 28-year-old pop star Nazril "Ariel" Irham with the production and distribution of pornographic tapes he allegedly made with Luna Maya, his girlfriend, and Cut Tari, a television presenter who was married at the time. All three have denied they are on the tape, which was allegedly made in 2006.

There are several glaring problems with the case, the most prominent of which is that the antipornography law isn't retroactive. Nor have the police produced any evidence that Mr. Irham disseminated the videos or had the intent to do so. The law excludes production for private consumption, which is meant to draw a strict line between the home and the public square.

Yet none of this matters for radical Islamists who see the law as a vehicle to impose their views. Vigilante mobs have threatened the two female celebrities involved in the scandal; police detained them on Wednesday, allegedly for their safety. Police have also raided Internet cafes and searched schoolchildren's mobile phones for copies of the videos.

Minister of Communication and Information Technology Tifatul Sembiring, a member of the Islamic Prosperous and Justice Party, wants to go further and have the government install filtering programs in all Internet cafes and schools. He also wants to ban the provision of online gambling services and the spreading of religious hatred, threats and any "misleading" news. This is the same logic China uses to excuse its Internet censorship and restrict political speech.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is no authoritarian, but he is instinctively socially conservative and has stood by as Islamic groups have attacked minorities such as the Ahmadiyya Muslims and agitated for curbs on free speech. Last week he seemed to throw his support behind the police's actions when he said Indonesia shouldn't be "steamrolled by an information technology frenzy, as the stakes are huge."

Indonesia is a young democracy and still trying to define what kind of country it wants to be. Allowing Islamists to blur the lines between the private and public spheres, by law or force, doesn't bode well for its future.

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