President asks artists to cover up

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Like most people, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono sometimes likes to settle down on the couch and relax in front of the TV.

However, the parade of bare belly buttons marching across the screen apparently makes the President uneasy, and he wants to do something about it.

Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Alwi Shihab said on Friday the President was putting pressure on TV stations to stop airing programs that included "obscenities".

"The President asked me to warn the media people of TV programs that show the bare navels of women. It is really disturbing," Alwi said after a Cabinet meeting.

The President was apparently inspired by a preacher who expressed concern about risque TV programs during a sermon on Friday at the Baiturrahman mosque in the presidential compound.

Alwi said the President asked him to relay his concerns after attending the prayer.

The minister said the President wanted TV stations to pay attention to the way presenters, singers and actors dressed, as the programs were also watched by children and young people.

"It would be better if they wore proper attire instead of showing such things in public," Alwi said.

Alwi burst into laughter when asked whether it would be OK if the women just covered their navels with Band-Aids.

The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission has issued guidelines for TV stations banning violence, mysticism and obscenity. The commission said that beginning this month it would get tough on errant stations, and called on the public to lodge complaints against "obscene" programs.

The commission has the power to revoke the licenses of TV stations.

Earlier, the Indonesian Ulemas Council demanded the government take action against performers, actors and any media that exploited obscenity in order to make a profit.

The previous House of Representatives proposed a bill on pornography that banned erotic kissing in public places. The bill, however, was never endorsed.