Agent holds 'Newsweek' circulation
Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The distributor of Newsweek magazine here has held the circulation of the Feb. 11 edition of the U.S.-based weekly that includes an image of Prophet Mohammed in one of its articles.
PT Indoprom circulation head Dasino Santarto, told The Jakarta Post on Saturday the decision was taken after consulting the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) on Wednesday.
"We are afraid it will create a big problem if we circulate the copies. It's kind of a self-censorship," Dasino said, adding that the company had instead disseminated leaflets informing subscribers of the delay.
The magazine, whose circulation reaches approximately 10,000 in the country, usually reaches its subscribers every Thursday. A copy of the magazine costs Rp 12,500 (US$1.2).
The government of this predominantly Muslim country had revoked the license of the weekly tabloid Monitor in October 1990 for defamation of Islam.
The authorities in Bangladesh, another predominately Muslim country in Asia, have banned all copies of Newsweek.
Dasino said the company was also consulting the National Press Council over whether the copies should go to readers after censorship. "But the council has not responded yet," he added.
MUI deputy chairman Umar Shihab said the council had asked PT Indoprom to hold the circulation of the Feb. 11 edition of Newsweek, pending a thorough examination of its contents.
"We are not going to take any decision before analyzing what is in the article," Umar Shihab said.
He said the MUI commission for research and development would begin the examination on Tuesday, the result of which is expected to be made public a week later.
He said he had not yet read the whole article that compares the Bible and the Koran. It carries a photo-image of an angel, he added.
"We have the authority to ban the edition if we find the article insulting to Muslims. But it will be OK if it is written purely for scientific purposes.
"Any legal action to be taken against the magazine or the writer is in the hands of the government." Umar said.
In a related development, Deputy Attorney General for intelligence affairs Basrief Arief told the Post he was not familiar with the case but insisted that the magazine should be brought to the clearing house.
The clearing house comprises his office, the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights and other ministries and institutions related to the issuance or circulation of print media.