Sex shops

Hey! I thought The Jakarta Post was a family newspaper. Your article in the Sunday, Sept.17, 1995 issue titled Popularity of Sex Shops Moves Upwards in the City written by Mr. Imran Rusli certainly violated generally accepted standards of decorum, especially in a widely read publication.

Before I am considered utterly Jurassic in my thinking, let me state that it was not subject matter that was objectionable, it was the way it was written -- overly graphic and crude. The article had no place on a page under Balinese-style weddings and traditional nuptial ceremonies.

This letter is not meant for my own sake. The piece was pointed out to me by an indignant yet respectable elderly lady who likes to read about weddings and culture (which were on the same page).

The editors of The Jakarta Post should have exercised better care before publishing such an off-color, out-of-place article can only appeal to the prurient. General interest, please, not smut!

Right now I am thinking of the young, expatriate schoolchild who asked for more interesting articles a few weeks ago. Is this The Jakarta Post's answer to his request?

FARID BASKORO

Jakarta