The controversial pornography bill being deliberated by the House of Representatives has drawn a mixed response from the public. Some people see the bill as a tool of repression, particularly of women, while others hail it as a long overdue step to save the country from moral decay. The Jakarta Post asked people for their thoughts on the bill.
Luther Sembiring, 30, works for a publishing company in Slipi, West Jakarta. He lives with his brother in Cimanggis, Depok:
I think the draft of the pornography bill should be revised, because it is not fair to women. Women in Bali or Papua, for example, have their own considerations when it comes to proper or improper dress.
People in Indonesia have different points of view about pornography. Because of this, the definition of the term is debatable.
The government should focus on law enforcement, because as far as I know we already have regulations relating to public order, including banning indecent acts in public places.
Police officers should enforce the law instead of backing criminals. It’s no secret the police protect people who sell pornographic VCDs and magazines.
Memi Mundari Pernithasari, 23, is a junior auditor at an accounting firm in South Jakarta. She lives with her parents in Bekasi:
I think this pornography bill is the best idea the government has ever come up with. In my opinion it will ensure more security for women, including myself.
We need more assurances from the government that it will wipe out, or at least minimize, improper acts and scenes in public places.
I have noticed that some regions in the country already have bylaws (sharia law) on this matter, and I also heard there was a lot of opposition to the implementation of these bylaws.
Nevertheless, I think it will take quite a long time for the bill to finally be made into law and put into practice, especially in a country as diverse as ours. There are always bound to be pros and cons with an issue like this.
for more… read the Jakarta Post