17 September 2008

Pornography In Indonesia -- A Follow Up

The first post on pornography and the soon to be passed Pornography Bill generated a bit of debate. Therefore, a follow up is warranted. This is particularly so in order to clarify and explain a few matters.

The definition of pornography is broad and the term used in Indonesian is materi sexualitas. However, this should for all intents and purposes be read as sexual materials and would include all the things listed in the first post. Rima has a good description of several of the Articles.

Therry being the fine artist that she is should still be worried. This is even the case where Article 14 of the bill purports to be an exemption clause for artists and those practicing traditional customs and rituals. However, it should be noted that the elucidation to this Article seems to make an exception for statues but not for art that raises the sexual urges of the viewers. My guess is that there would be many members of the community who might be a little turned on by some of Therry's art. If this were the case then it would seem that these images might just fall within the gambit of pornography.

Article 21 seems to provide open slather for the community and so inclined community groups to be somewhat vigilante in their methods of shutting down things they consider to be pornographic. This, though, is modified to some degree by Article 22 which seems to limit these community preventive measures to the reporting of the alleged breach, commencing a class action, implementing a socialization program, or providing guidance to the community with respect to the dangers and the impacts of pornography.

The socialization and guidance parts still leave plenty to the imagination.

Life goes on.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

As you probably have seen my nasty comment in Rima's blog (not addressed to Rima, btw, only addressed to those assholes who drafted the bill), you could imagine how frustrated I am about things going on down there.

First this, soon will be sharia. It gives me the creeps just to imagine what would happen to my country in the next - say - 10 years? Would it be worse than Saudi Arabia????? *shudders*

Anonymous said...

Lets not make a big fuss over it. We'll just wait and see how the bill will be truly affecting our lives.

I bet it won't make much difference after all. Sure those FPI bastards are probably overjoyed and jumping up and down to the thought of more extortioning opportunities from Playboy and FHM and Popular etc., but everyone knows that the law in Indonesia can be bought and that it's powerless against money.

And we all know those who have the money are the people who mingle in the sex industry.

Anonymous said...

@therry: I agree. Let's wait and see... the more fuss we make, the more excuse we give those bastards. If we keep quiet, there is a good chance that everyone will forget this stupid law was passed. If that doesn't succeed? Well, there is always revolution... :-)

Anonymous said...

But therry, weren't the sex industry guys and the FPI at the same front? (Pls refer to Pemukulan Monas case?)

Rob Baiton said...

Writer One...

I did!

A mini Saudia Arabia. One would hope not!

Ten years can be a long time in the big scheme of things. And, I am the eternal optimist on all things Indonesian.

Hopefully, it is not the case that things have to get worse before they can get better. I sincerely hope that tings have already been "worse" and that from here things get better. As I said, the eternal optimist and it is not even my country (although it will be one of my kids two countries maybe).

Therry and Brett...

To some degree that is a sentiment that I agree with, let's wait and see!

The flip side is that if people wait and see and the result is that it negatively impacts on their daily lives, then this begs the question was the wait and see approach a good choice?

If there is not direct, immediate, or other impact on one's daily lives, then perhaps the wait and see call was a good one.

Therry...

Too pessimistic that the law can be bought and justice sold in Indonesia. I am not naive enough to suggest that it does not happen, but the idea of letting laws pass with the hope of being able to buy your way out of trouble is a slippery slope and paints a picture of Indonesia never getting better.

I refuse to believe that there are not enough good people to get the job done. This includes cleaning up the judiciary and the courts.

Money in the sex industry might be true for the big fish, but for the workers themselves they are not in the profession because they have money but rather they need money and this is an option they have chosen or have been forced into.

Brett...

Some people might agree with you that after 10 years of "reformasi" that perhaps "revolusi" would have been the better option. Much more bloodshed but a more thorough cleaning house and starting with a new slate.

Jaka...

Do you have a link? Just so I can see what you refer to. I wouldn't mind writing about an alliance between the FPI and the sex industry.

Thanks.

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