Police question model Sophia as witness
Police question model Sophia as witness
JAKARTA (JP): Movie and television star Sophia Latjuba was
summoned by the National Police Headquarters on Thursday and
questioned for five hours as a witness in a police investigation
into alleged violations of the press' code of ethics by several
publications here.
Driving a gray Volvo sedan, Sophia, a divorcee with a young
daughter, arrived at the headquarters on Jl. Trunojoyo in South
Jakarta at 10 a.m.
"I've only been summoned as a witness to give information
about (the contents of) Popular magazine," Sophia, the former
wife of jazz musician Indra Lesmana, told reporters after the
questioning.
She was accompanied by lawyer Denny Azani.
The 29-year-old actress recently posed for the cover page and
special reports of the monthly magazine in its May edition.
During the lengthy questioning, she said the police inquired
about photographs and the techniques used to take the photos,
which many, including women activists, claim are
semipornographic.
She, however, refused to discuss her answers to the police.
"I've already explained the photo techniques, whether or not I
was really naked (during the photo shoot)," Latjuba said.
Several media here quoted Latjuba as saying recently that the
photos were taken at Anyer resort area in West Java by a
photographer employed by the magazine. She described the
photographer as a close friend.
She said she wore a bra and a skin colored body stocking.
She said she seemed to be naked in the photos, especially on
the cover page in which she has her arms crossing over her
breasts and her hands on her collarbones, because the
photographer knew how to make her appear so.
When asked to comment further on the nine suggestive pictures
of her in Popular, Sophia said she agreed to have her photo taken
by the magazine after she considered all the risks.
"I know that in this country nude photos and even seminude
ones are still regarded unethical, but I think it depends on how
people see it, as art or not," she said.
Sophia, however, declined to disclose how much the magazine
paid her for the exclusive pictures, saying the fee was enough
for her "kitchen".
National Police chief detective of general crimes Col. Makhbul
Padmanagara said the investigation had been mounted due to
increasing complaints and reports from the public about the
growing number of indecent publications.
"Many of the reports blame the police, asking why we remain
quiet at seeing many newly published magazines and tabloids with
extra freedom exposing things which are not supposed to be
exposed," he said.
Makhbul said the suspects could be charged under the Criminal
Code's Article 282 on ethics which carries a maximum penalty of
one year and six months in prison and a Rp 3,000 fine. (emf)