Inul's body

Inul's body
politicized

Inul's gyrating body has become an extremely interesting
subject of discussion at all layers of Indonesian society
recently. Almost all television talk shows raise the issue of
Inul's rags-to-riches story. Only the government hasn't said a
word yet on this controversial matter.

For a long time, any provocative incident, particularly when
the object has concerned women, has always been eye-catching and
quickly lodges in people's consciousness. The same case applies
to the Inul phenomenon -- a young, attractive girl with a unique
dance movement that has produced a variety of reactions.

What has become the focus here is Inul's body, not her
attitude, vocal quality or beauty. Maybe the politics of the body
apply to talk about Inul's body, which has become a hot topic of
discussion everywhere. Inul's body has become a political issue,
not because it goes through various reproductive health
processes, such as menstruation, pregnancy and birth, but because
it has become an exceptional issue for discussion, not only by
ordinary people but the elite as well.

Inul's "drilling", which might have been discussed within more
limited confines, such as in the home, is now a matter of open
discussion by a wide variety of people, and under a wide range of
circumstances. More and more people enjoy talking about Inul.

Imagine if the government felt obliged to make a judgment
regarding Inul, as the Indonesian Council of Ulemas and
Indonesian Malay Artists Association have done. Inul's case would
then have become politicized as a "national issue": Each and
every one of us should therefore be careful.

LYNDA SOETITO
Jakarta