 A battle brewing over a draft anti-smut law has laid bare deep divisions within Indonesia and, say critics, threatens its traditionally tolerant approach to Islam.
| I'd guess the traditionally tolerant approach loses, hands down... |
With parliament back in session from August 18, the world's biggest Muslim nation faces what could prove a defining moment. Pressured by growing demands from Muslim activists, lawmakers are expected to hammer out the legislation in the coming months. Just what kind of bill emerges - and how much liberal Muslims, secular nationalists, and non-Muslim minorities water it down beforehand - remains to be seen. Already, proposed changes would remove kissing in public from its catalogue of proscribed acts. Other revisions exempt art and cultural activities from censorship, and reduce the chance of vigilante enforcement by Muslim hardliners. Supporters say tough measures are necessary to protect the public from corrupting Western influence. Although barred by law, explicit material is available with relative ease in Indonesia, and television programmes regularly feature bared flesh and sexual innuendo. |