Dewi Sukarno's nude pictures now available on floppy disk

SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): Shots of erotic poses of Ratnasari Dewi, the widow of the late president Sukarno, are now available in floppy disks, outwitting the government's ban on her book, Madame D. Syuga from which the pictures are taken.

The pictures come in a program called Compushow, created by Bob Berry from Canyon State System and Software, Sedona, U.S.

Lacking any protection, the program has apparently been copied and is now widely in circulation in Semarang and surrounding cities in Central Java.

So far, there hasn't been any attempt by the authorities to stop the sales of the floppy disk.

The ban against Madame D. Syuga (Japanese for superior and elegant), announced by the Attorney General's office only weeks after its release in Tokyo last October, applies to the book and makes no mention of floppy disks.

Local computer expert Edi Norsasongko deplored the sales of the disks as shameful.

"I am amazed at how inconsiderate the creator of the program is, because this is all a matter of norms, moral and ethical values... The programmer even said anyone could freely make copies of the program without having to pay at all," he said.

Madame D. Syuga, a 140-page book containing nude photos of Japanese-born Dewi, stirred a commotion in the country of her late husband, Soekarno, when it came out.

A Japanese newspaper described it as "the greatest sensation of this age".

Indonesian feminists said the book not only dishonored Dewi as a woman, but also humiliated her husband and his country. Sukarno, Indonesia's first president, died in 1970. That was the reason given by the Attorney General's office when it banned the book.

Dewi, 53, however, refused to call the book disgraceful, arguing that it was in fact a piece of art. She also pointed out that her life with Sukarno ended when he died, "so Indonesians have no right to force me...to retain my position as his widow".

The Indonesian government, through Attorney General Singgih, last November put an end to the debate and ordered a ban to the book in the country. The ban forbade the sale, distribution and possession of the book and ordered anyone in possession of a copy to hand it over to the authorities. (wah/pwn)