Lust, Caution (Part 1)

Dear honorable members of the House, what were you thinking!? If you were thinking, that is.

Despite strong opposition, with official protests from several provinces, the Porn Bill was finally passed by the DPR in a session marked by massive walk-outs. On October 30, eight out of ten factions agreed to make the contentious bill into law. This pro-side surprisingly includes what's supposed to be 'nationalist' parties like Golkar and Partai Demokrat, plus parties that has only recently took a more nationalist stance like Partai Amanat Nasional. Anyway, by this time I think it's unnecessary to inform you that PKS lawmakers blindly gave their 'yes' to the bill. Shame on them all. It was reported that during the session, bill supporters shouted 'Allahu Akbar' each time a legislator voiced their support for the bill, as if God wanted them to bring to life such abominable law. Or, sarcastically speaking, was that a cry for extreme forgiveness for letting this monster get passed by the House?

On the contrary, I openly applaud the brains and bravery of PDI-P and PDS lawmakers for walking out of the ridiculous session as a sign that they are against the law until the very end of the day, from the very beginning of all this hubbub. Apparently, two Golkar legislators from Bali voting district also walked out on the session, a move that should've been followed by their party-mates. Another legislator, a prominent activist Nursjahbani Katjasungkana from Islamic-based PKB joined in the protest against the bill, although she didn't leave the session. Note to self: with only two choices left, now you really know which party to vote for.

Let's take a look at the bill-turned-law, shall we?

Article 1 defines pornography as "drawings, sketches, illustrations, photographs, texts, voices, sound, moving pictures, animations, cartoons, poetry, conversations, gestures, or other forms of communicative messages through various kinds of media; and/or performances in front of the public, which may incite obscenity, sexual exploitation and/or violate moral ethics in the community." Well, that's the nice translation from Bahasa Indonesia. The translation that best suits the Indonesian meaning would actually say "..., which may arouse lust/sexual desire...". Believe me or not.

This is a reckless definition that's been one of the hottest topic in the debate. In there, porn includes every and any thing that gets you 'up and wanting', even if it is a wrinkly old woman minding her own business or a bra-less cow. Perhaps if we see it in a different way, Indonesians are terribly lucky since all of us get to be a 'porn' star in such an easy way. You may draw, sketch, illustrate, take a picture, write, say, sing, dance, move, mendesah, and anything else; as long as you can 'excite' someone, voila, you're an instant porn star. Lucky you, a religious nation of porn stars!

Article 3 states the goals of the law, two of which are to improve the people's morality (that's something we love to debate on, isn't it?) and to prevent the spread of pornography in the society. Take a deep breath, count to 3, and laugh histerically at those points. To those lawmakers, good luck on preventing the spread of porn. Seriously, you'll need like a gazillion tons of luck to do it -although it only took a pinch of political-gain dreams to start this whole kerfuffle.

Articles 4 to 15 contain the actual prohibitions and exceptions. No one is allowed to produce, make, copy, air, export, import, rent out or provide materials that have these things: intercourse, including 'deviant' intercourses (e.g. homosexuality, bisexuality), sexual violence, masturbation, nudity, an impression of nudity, or sexual organs. Furthermore, no one can lend out, borrow, or download the defined porn materials. Yada, yada, yada. According to Article 42, after one month, you have to burn down your secret porn drawer/cupboard/harddisk; otherwise, you will be prosecuted. Well, unless you can prove that those manga girls in flowery bikinis don't turn you on.

Where should I start? It is blatantly a restriction against our freedom of expression. Just because those lawmakers don't like to watch porn -really?- doesn't mean that they should ban people from making or enjoying it. Such freedom, along with many others at risk from this law, is protected under the Constitution. So, these articles are simply unconstitutional. Additionally, it is also a breach to our private lives, which are our private domain (duh!) not to be groped obscenely by the government. Why would anyone feel that she/he has the power over the personal choices that other people make? The download part of the law reeks of internet censorship. In fact, another article actually give regional govts the power to block internet sites, bringing back ugly memories of the Fitna spat. Despite the imminent ignorance about this law (we're talking about Indonesia, dear), we cannot let this unfunny joke by the DPR to continue.

Article 14 makes the exception to the bans which only includes anything that has to do with a) arts and culture, b) tradition, and c) traditional rites. What strikes me first is that obviously this is an attempt to appease the opposition from many cultural groups and then to push on with this law. This is never a sincere gesture to keep the nation's culture, pluralism, and most of all, identity. Who can classify whether something is art or porn or maybe they overlap? Surely more open-minded people say that porn can be another form of art; after all, it is made for the sake of enjoyment. Or will we be forced to chip out the groin of Michelangelo's David? If someone makes a porn movie with skimpy batik bikinis, will they be exempt?

Oh my, this post is getting extra long...hence the (Part 1) in the title. Frankly, I'm not quite sure if Part 2 will actually come into being later, but at least let it serve as a sign that there's more to question and debate on this law. A last say, "I can't define porn, but I know it when I see it."