House too slow in approving pornography bill

Jakarta, NU Online
The House of Representatives and the government were seen too slow in settling the bill on pornography, as deliberations had not been too successful.

The Alliance of the United Development Party`s Autonomous Body in its release issued on Thursday urged the House and the government to immediately pass bill into law not later than by the end of this month.<>

If such consensus has been taken and many parties could not reach an agreement, the only democratic way to arrive at a settlement is through voting in a House plenary meeting.

As reported by Antara, the alliance asked the House and the government to make use of the existing time to correct the formulation of the bill on pornography especially relating to chapter 14 which provides exception to the act, spreading and use of sex materials on the basis of art and culture.

The exception on the basis of art and culture constituted a passage to legalize pornography in a broad manner.

The alliance also called on all parties, especially political parties, the House and the government to protect children and young people from the serious threats of pornography, secularism, liberalism and materialism which could no longer be prevented by the criminal code and the existing regulations.

The alliance also asked all sides not to politicize the bill and create a negative image on Islam.

"We believe that each political force in the community really needs the support of Muslims and not to corner them. We call on all parties to jointly build the nation on the basis of religious, cultural diversity and differences of opinion," a delegate of the alliance said.

However, the bill on pornography was not intended to serve the interest of Muslims, but the entire nation and the unitary state of the Republic of f Indonesia in preventing the young generation from moral degradation. (dar)