On 'Baywatch'

Thank God for democracy, and freedom of press and opinion. This is in response to Sri Kurniawati's letter on March 28 about the Baywatch show aired by RCTI.

If you do not like Baywatch why do you look at this program? You are free to switch to another TV channel. In this era of democracy, Indonesian television has certainly improved and leaped forward with a choice of many many TV stations. Although I very seldom watch TV (and did not realize that Baywatch is on RCTI), I love the musical programs on TVRI and Metro TV.

I was brought up by very strict parents but I had to learn how to swim (unfortunately I wear a swimsuit) and dance, as both swimming and dancing are excellent for your health. Heart patients suffering from high cholesterol are nowadays urged by their doctors to go swimming, which means showing your body.

But why don't you walk around the many Jakarta shopping malls, where you will see beautiful young Indonesian girls walking around in hot pants, miniskirts and tank tops (without bras), showing their beautiful bodies. There are 215 million people in this country and, thank heavens, they apparently prefer Baywatch.

LYNNA VAN DER ZEE-OEHMKE

Bogor, West Java