MUI blasts media over pornography

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) is threatening to file a class-action lawsuit against media outlets it contends are broadcasting or publishing pornography.

MUI secretary-general Din Syamsuddin said on Wednesday that television programs Dansa yo Dansa (Let's Dance) of the state- owned station, TVRI; Live and Love of private station Metro TV, and Majalah X (The X-Magazine) of SCTV, contained pornography and should be taken off the air.

"We're calling on these media outlets not to hurt the country any more," Din said after a meeting with a group from the House of Representatives (DPR).

The members included Soetardjo Surjoguritno of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), and Muhaimin Iskandar, of the National Awakening Party (PKB), Antara reported on Wednesday.

In response, Muhaimin said that they would convey to the government MUI's objections to the programs, and urge that broadcast and publication be ceased.

No comment was available from the media outlets in question. -- Antara