'Watching Inul makes our stress bearable'

Controversial dangdut singer Inul Daratista has drawn criticism from the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) and dangdut king Rhoma Irama for her sensual dance style, which is considered against ethics and norms. However, her popularity continues to soar. A number of people told The Jakarta Post how much they like Inul, who uplifts their spirit.

Kartoyo, 21, is an employee of the City Public Order Office who resides in Depok, West Java, with his family:

I wonder who said that Inul's dancing is dirty. They're really wrong because Inul's dancing is more aerobic-like than erotic.

I love watching her perform because she can lift our spirits with her energetic and dynamic movements.

Dangdut music is a part of the lives of low-income people like me. It is really entertaining.

Watching her perform, the stress of a full workday disappears.

If it is considered indecent, why do many television stations continue to broadcast her performances? Her dancing is not obscene, not in my opinion.

I would agree that she was vulgar if she wore transparent attire, if her bra or underwear could clearly be seen during her performance on stage. But, in fact she does not dress like that. She dresses as other artists commonly do.

I will support Inul to keep on entertaining people through her dancing. Her fans are not just older people, but also youngsters.

Nurjaya, 30, is a motorcycle taxi (ojek) driver in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. He resides nearby with his wife and three children:

Personally I don't consider Inul's dancing so raunchy that it is indecent to watch. Instead, I would see her rather as someone who motivates me. I feel more alert after watching her perform.

I wonder why some people consider her vulgar while in fact there is nothing wrong with her act. I am on Inul's side. She is innocent.

Perhaps if she wore a bikini or just underwear on stage she could be considered indecent. But she is not that kind of entertainer.

I like listening to dangdut music because it is very entertaining. I am at odds with people who say that dangdut is rubbish.

I cannot imagine how the lives of poor people like me would be without dangdut music. The music is in the hearts of the poor people because we need to relax after going through the hardships of daily life.

For the poor, watching or listening to dangdut performances is far more encouraging than listening to politicians or thinking about war.

I disagree with Rhoma Irama's harsh criticizism of her. Our country is a country of law, not a religious country, despite Islam being predominant. Religion and music are two separate issues, so why should he relate religion to entertainment. He's silly, I'm sure. His criticism has clearly backlashed on him.

Meriem, 45, works as a manager at a star-rated hotel in Central Jakarta. She resides in Meruya, West Jakarta, with her husband:

I don't get the impression that Inul is raunchy. I personally admire her potential in dancing and singing.

I don't think her movements are erotic at all, but nimble and artistic. In addition, her attire is also classy. She now wears designer clothes.

In response to criticism that her performance is obscene, I am at odds with it. Pornography is relative. It depends on the individual viewer.

I guess some people regard Inul vulgar because they have dirty minds. The heart and mind are important in considering whether or not something is filthy.

Once I asked my husband whether Inul's dance aroused him as a man and he said not at all. He likes Inul.

So, it would be better not to use a religious viewpoint when regarding entertainment, as has been the case with Inul.

I encourage her to move on despite the controversy. She belongs not only to low-income people but also to the middle- class. I watched her perform live last week at a hotel and most of the guests were of the upper-class and they, even ladies wearing Muslim scarves, really enjoyed the show.

As a nation, we should be proud of having an internationally known singer like Inul.

-- Leo Wahyudi S