'TV commercials demoralizes youth'

SURABAYA, East Java: Local ulemas are calling on the Film Censorship Agency (LSF) to tighten its supervision of both television and film commercials.

Chairman of the local branch of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) K.H. Misbach said commercials, both locally made or imported, are threatening the national culture.

"Some of the foreign-made commercials imply that locally made products are second rate," Misbach was quoted by Antara as saying.

Misbach said he was not against foreign commercials, but that he was concerned about elements in the commercials that might demoralize Indonesian youngsters.

"Those elements need to be censored more closely," Misbach said.

Misbach also called on owners of private television stations to select more appropriate programs and commercials to be broadcast. (swe)