President asks artists to cover up
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.