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)