Beware pornography: Scholar

SURABAYA, East Java: A Moslem scholar called on parents yesterday to protect their children more carefully than ever from the current proliferation of pornographic products here in Indonesia's second-largest city.

Saleh Aldjufri, chairman of the Islamic Information and Laboratory Institute, was referring to products such as pens and matchboxes with pictures of nude women, and books and calendars in a similar vein.

Many pornography vendors hawk their wares in public areas including the Wonokromo market, sidewalks outside Siola shopping center, the sidewalk outside the state-owned shipping firm Pelni, and the Joyoboyo bus terminal.

Heri, a vendor at Wonokromo market, said students, other young people and workers passing by usually purchased pornographic books by Eny Arrow, Nick Carter and others, which sell for Rp 5,000 (US$2.10).

In addition to book sales, vendors secretly offer cards with pornographic photographs to customers.

"They must be dealt with firmly, especially in light of the upcoming holy month of Ramadhan, when many of us strive to purify our souls," Saleh said. (01)