Indonesia Bans Porn Images, Gestures & Conversations

[The Sushi Bandit]

Source: Current TV & Honolulu Advertiser

Indonesia's parliament passed a bill banning pornography today, ignoring opposition from lawmakers and rights groups who worry it will be used to justify attacks on artistic, religious and cultural freedom.

More than 100 legislators stormed out ahead of the vote saying that — while the bill's final version removed contentious clauses regulating dress and social behavior — it went against the country's tradition of diversity. Ninety percent of Indonesia's 235 million citizens are Muslim, most practicing a moderate form of the faith. But many of its islands have large Christian and Hindu populations and some women in tribal regions, like Papua, still go topless.

A small group of hard-line Islamist parties argued that globalization was chipping away at the country's moral fiber and dusted off an anti-pornography bill originally drafted in 1999. They were forced to revise it several times, dropping a ban on bikinis at tourist resorts, for instance. The version that eventually passed today focusses instead on the dissemination of material that contains pornographic images, gestures or even conversations. Violators can be sentenced to up to 12 years in prison and fined up to $750,000.


Read more: http://current.com/items/89470494_indonesia_bans_porn_images_gestures_conversations

[TomInTib]

1. Just last night, we were talking of cashing out and moving to Bali.

We are trying to decide where to go if the GOP steals this one.

So much for Bali, I suppose.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

2. Is that pic of a porn gesture ?

;)

[amdezurik]

3. nope, Kids In the Hall skit

"I am crushing your head!"

[InternalDialogue]

4. Some people would still say "That's hot!"

You know, what with the stuff you can see on the internets these days...

[amdezurik]

5. and that is why that is such a stupid stupid bill to pass

[Athens30603]

7. Internet access can be blocked

China was even blocking Google for awhile, I believe.

[amdezurik]

12. it is stupid on so many levels

and FYI internet access may be the easist way to get to "porn" (however a particular person defines it which may include Sienfeld episodes, sure as hell Family Guy, hell Toy Story may be classed like that) but is far from the ONLY way ya know. There are DVD's, CD's and sat dishes. So this law is just an excuse for religious nut-jobs to bust down doors and intimidate people. A very republica law indeed.

[leeman67]

6. I have been to Indonesia and am somewhat familiar with their...

politics. By and large it is a mostly moderate country, even though it is nearly 90% Muslim. However, like the US, it has a very loud extremist minority that wields far more political power than it should. Thus, you get stuff like this.

[Lautremont]

8. So can I no longer do the "handjob" gesture I like to do when speaking of Republicans?

[Realityhack]

9. Just one more place to never visit.

Easy solution. Punish them with lack of tourism.

[The Sushi Bandit]

10. Got to the LINK for insightfull PHOTO of the natives

How will they be treated???

[PSPS]

11. This is what a Palin presidency would look like

[The Sushi Bandit]

13. tRUE!!