Bill bans public erotic dances
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Organizers of erotic dances should beware! Soon they could be sentenced to 10 years in jail or fined Rp 1 billion (US$120,000).
A House-sponsored bill banning illegal acts of pornography includes people who organize erotic dances in public.
The bill is yet to get the government's support and it will be some time before it could passed into law. The House of Representatives is now in recess and will not convene again until April.
It is not clear whether the law would classify the famous "drilling dance" of dangdut singer Inul Daratista -- considered by many to be erotic -- as pornographic.
Inul's dance drew criticism from many conservative quarters last year. She ignored the criticism, which many said only won her more fame and notoriety. Other dangdut singers have since followed suit with their own racy dance moves.
The bill suggests the establishment of a national antipornography agency to study activities considered to be erotic.
The agency will have at least nine members consisting of representatives from religious groups, sociologists, criminologists, and experts in sports as well as art and culture.
The bill defines acts of pornography as actions intended to show and/or to exploit sexual, indecent, and/or erotic activities.
By restricting or censoring pornography it aimed to protect people from exploitation and promote morality and ethics.
The bill restricts anyone from showing their genitals, buttocks, or breasts in public places. It also bans anyone from appearing naked or kissing on the mouth in public.
It bans masturbation, lewd gestures and sex in public places.
Performing in, organizing or watching sex shows or parties would become crimes under the bill. Providing funds or facilities for shows or parties would also be criminalized.
The bill caused an uproar when its draft was first shown to the public late last year.
Despite the restrictions, there are conditions that could exempt some event organizers from charges of pornography. Eroticism in educational, artistic, sport or cultural activities would not be deemed illegal. But these activities would only be allowed to be held in art galleries or sport stadiums.
Under the bill the public could notify the authorities about acts they deemed pornographic and whistle-blowers would be given protection by the courts.
Key articles of the bill ---------------------------------------------------------------- Article 32 (1) Showing genitals in public is punishable by
five years in jail or a Rp 250 million fine. Article 33 (1) Appearing naked in public is punishable by
six years in jail or a Rp 300 million fine. Article 34 (1) Kissing on the mouth in public is
punishable by five years in jail or
a Rp 250 million fine. Article 35 (1) Performing erotic dances in public places is
punishable by five years in jail or a Rp 250
million fine. Article 37 (1) Sex in a public place is punishable by 10
years in jail or a Rp 500 million fine. Article 38 (1) Organizing sex shows is punishable by 10 years
in jail or a Rp 1 billion fine.
(2) Organizing sex parties is punishable by three
years in jail or a Rp 1 billion fine. Article 39 (1) Watching sex shows is punishable by two years'
jail or a Rp 100 million fine. --------------------------------------------------------------- Source: Bill on Acts of Pornography