Time to take action

Time to take action
against pornography

Pros and cons have arisen since the country's "dangdut"
singer, Inul Daratista, from East Java's Pasuruan district began
appearing on TV with her characteristic sensual dancing.

Seeing Inul's body shaking on stage is part of an artist's
freedom of expression. It would be reasonable to appreciate
this. Some people however, regard Inul's shaking as an effort to
spread "raunchy" sensuality.

The pros and cons reached its peak when Inul was recently
banned from doing her "raunchy" act (as prohibited by an
unauthorized party).

This editorial has no intention of explaining in detail the
controversy surrounding Inul. The Inul issue however needs proper
attention, as this nation keeps many issues related to
pornography under control.

The issue has prompted us to ask the House of Representatives
to issue regulations immediately on pornography, which has
created restlessness among people.

There would be more anxiety if we touch on pornographic VCDs
which are being sold cheap. Law enforcers do not seem to have the
ability to prevent the selling of these pornographic VCDs.

It is high time we take action against pornography in this
country. -- Republika, Jakarta

ASEAN plus determination

Chain reactions as a result of the cohesion and
interdependence of the member countries necessitate collaborative
efforts, especially in dealing with an emergency that is causing
widespread panic and taking a toll on their economies.

The fact that ASEAN leaders met in Bangkok on Tuesday to
hammer out a common strategy to combat SARS and to put in place a
series of coordinated measures to keep their borders open while
ensuring that the scourge will be contained, indicates a great
deal of commitment from the countries to get over the obstacles
in this case an infectious disease that has claimed hundreds of
lives all over the world that could hamper their way forward.

The decision to set up a regional task force at ministerial
level, a move previously familiar only to the tackling of cross-
boundary haze problems, speaks a lot about this commitment. And
unlike past ASEAN meetings, the Bangkok summit was unprecedented
for the speed with which the leaders agreed on a tough,
collective response to the public health crisis they faced and
the slew of concrete measures proposed.

The move to establish an early warning system on emerging
infectious diseases at both national and regional levels in co-
operation with the World Health Organization and other
international health programs is perhaps the obvious way to go
considering what happened in China in the initial stages of the
SARS outbreak. It also more or less cautions everyone against
trying to put a lid on potentially destructive diseases, even if
it is, for that moment, caused by an undetermined source.

Other measures, particularly those related to the screening of
travelers, will be crucial too considering the mobility of people
within the ASEAN region.

The fear of SARS may be worse than SARS itself. But as Thai
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said, it is better to over-
react at the start than under-react. And ASEAN is doing it right.

-- News Strait Times, Kuala Lumpur

Unite, Iraqi people!

Unite, all Iraqi people! Without strong union you will live a
life similar to what you had under Saddam Hussein's regime.

It's time for you to unite and join hands so as to increase
your bargaining power. Be confident that with adequate strength
any parties would find it difficult to oppress you.

For Islamic countries, including Indonesia, union is a
luxurious and expensive thing. It is probably because they have
already lived with the experience of being divided.

It is clear that the invaders don't want an Islamic government
in Iraq, and somebody like Jay Garner is prepared to become the
ruler of (a new) Iraq. In the long run, Iraq could become a pilot
project to rock the Middle East with U.S.-style democracy.

Iraq's possession of weapons of mass destruction has yet to
be proved. However, the fact is not important for U.S. President
George W. Bush. Iraq's abundant wealth is the intended target for
exploitation. This is the mission of Jay Garner.

Things now depend on the Iraqi people. It is unnecessary to
seek and attack the Kurds, as Saddam's regime did, for they have
been oppressed since the end of World War I. The West -- victor
in the war -- had divided up the Kurds' land in such a way that
they have become nomads.

So, please accept the Kurds as brother Muslims. Subsequently,
the Sunnis and Shias should also unite against the U.S.

Muslims will achieve success in their fight if they believe
that Allah will protect them.

-- Republika, Jakarta