Time to take action
\nagainst pornography<\/p>\n
Pros and cons have arisen since the country's "dangdut"
\nsinger, Inul Daratista, from East Java's Pasuruan district began
\nappearing on TV with her characteristic sensual dancing.<\/p>\n
Seeing Inul's body shaking on stage is part of an artist's
\nfreedom of expression. It would be reasonable to appreciate
\nthis. Some people however, regard Inul's shaking as an effort to
\nspread "raunchy" sensuality.<\/p>\n
The pros and cons reached its peak when Inul was recently
\nbanned from doing her "raunchy" act (as prohibited by an
\nunauthorized party).<\/p>\n
This editorial has no intention of explaining in detail the
\ncontroversy surrounding Inul. The Inul issue however needs proper
\nattention, as this nation keeps many issues related to
\npornography under control.<\/p>\n
The issue has prompted us to ask the House of Representatives
\nto issue regulations immediately on pornography, which has
\ncreated restlessness among people.<\/p>\n
There would be more anxiety if we touch on pornographic VCDs
\nwhich are being sold cheap. Law enforcers do not seem to have the
\nability to prevent the selling of these pornographic VCDs.<\/p>\n
It is high time we take action against pornography in this
\ncountry. -- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>\n
ASEAN plus determination<\/p>\n
Chain reactions as a result of the cohesion and
\ninterdependence of the member countries necessitate collaborative
\nefforts, especially in dealing with an emergency that is causing
\nwidespread panic and taking a toll on their economies.<\/p>\n
The fact that ASEAN leaders met in Bangkok on Tuesday to
\nhammer out a common strategy to combat SARS and to put in place a
\nseries of coordinated measures to keep their borders open while
\nensuring that the scourge will be contained, indicates a great
\ndeal of commitment from the countries to get over the obstacles
\nin this case an infectious disease that has claimed hundreds of
\nlives all over the world that could hamper their way forward.<\/p>\n
The decision to set up a regional task force at ministerial
\nlevel, a move previously familiar only to the tackling of cross-
\nboundary haze problems, speaks a lot about this commitment. And
\nunlike past ASEAN meetings, the Bangkok summit was unprecedented
\nfor the speed with which the leaders agreed on a tough,
\ncollective response to the public health crisis they faced and
\nthe slew of concrete measures proposed.<\/p>\n
The move to establish an early warning system on emerging
\ninfectious diseases at both national and regional levels in co-
\noperation with the World Health Organization and other
\ninternational health programs is perhaps the obvious way to go
\nconsidering what happened in China in the initial stages of the
\nSARS outbreak. It also more or less cautions everyone against
\ntrying to put a lid on potentially destructive diseases, even if
\nit is, for that moment, caused by an undetermined source.<\/p>\n
Other measures, particularly those related to the screening of
\ntravelers, will be crucial too considering the mobility of people
\nwithin the ASEAN region.<\/p>\n
The fear of SARS may be worse than SARS itself. But as Thai
\nPrime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said, it is better to over-
\nreact at the start than under-react. And ASEAN is doing it right.<\/p>\n
-- News Strait Times, Kuala Lumpur<\/p>\n
Unite, Iraqi people!<\/p>\n
Unite, all Iraqi people! Without strong union you will live a
\nlife similar to what you had under Saddam Hussein's regime.<\/p>\n
It's time for you to unite and join hands so as to increase
\nyour bargaining power. Be confident that with adequate strength
\nany parties would find it difficult to oppress you.<\/p>\n
For Islamic countries, including Indonesia, union is a
\nluxurious and expensive thing. It is probably because they have
\nalready lived with the experience of being divided.<\/p>\n
It is clear that the invaders don't want an Islamic government
\nin Iraq, and somebody like Jay Garner is prepared to become the
\nruler of (a new) Iraq. In the long run, Iraq could become a pilot
\nproject to rock the Middle East with U.S.-style democracy.<\/p>\n
Iraq's possession of weapons of mass destruction has yet to
\nbe proved. However, the fact is not important for U.S. President
\nGeorge W. Bush. Iraq's abundant wealth is the intended target for
\nexploitation. This is the mission of Jay Garner.<\/p>\n
Things now depend on the Iraqi people. It is unnecessary to
\nseek and attack the Kurds, as Saddam's regime did, for they have
\nbeen oppressed since the end of World War I. The West -- victor
\nin the war -- had divided up the Kurds' land in such a way that
\nthey have become nomads.<\/p>\n
So, please accept the Kurds as brother Muslims. Subsequently,
\nthe Sunnis and Shias should also unite against the U.S.<\/p>\n
Muslims will achieve success in their fight if they believe
\nthat Allah will protect them.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/time-to-take-action-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }