JAKARTA, INDONESIA — The majority political voice on Bali has vowed to overturn Indonesia’s anti-porn law by making it a major issue in the upcoming national elections. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) also has urged residents of Bali to disobey the law.Bali is a liberal stronghold in primarily Muslim Indonesia.
Introduced in 1999 and mired in controversy and objection ever since, the anti-porn law passed the country’s House of Representatives in October, despite opposition from the PDI-P and the Prosperous Peace Party (PDS). Representatives of both parties walked out of the vote in protest.
The legislation forbids “pornographic acts” and the dissemination of sexual images. Violators face as many as 12 years in prison.
Fundamental Islamists argued the law is necessary to protect children and reclaim society’s morals. Objectors claim the law could precipitate persecution of Indonesia’s Christian and Hindu minorities and threaten the country’s longstanding tradition of tolerance and diversity. In addition, the Balinese insist the law criminalizes everything from kissing in public to ancient forms of art and dance.
On November 1st, the governor of Bali and the Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives made history when they signed a written statement declaring Bali unable to enforce the law. In 2006 the former governor noted, “Bali might as well declare independence” if the anti-porn bill passed.
