Bali bikinis to stay

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A looming morality crackdown in Indonesia may spare Bali so bikini-clad tourists are not arrested on the beach.

A special committee in Indonesia's parliament is reviewing proposed laws to ban pornography, erotic dancing and even adults kissing in public across the mainly Muslim nation.

But one committee member said mainly Hindu Bali and restive Papua province could be given special status to reflect their different cultures.

But in a Sodom-and-Gomorrah style warning for the rest of the country, committee chairman Balkan Kaplale, who comes from the same Democratic Party as President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, said the laws were imperative.

Recent disasters like the Aceh tsunami, landslides and earthquakes were "a warning from God" about Indonesia's reform-era slide towards immorality.

"This bill is a part of our efforts to strengthen the moral fibre of the nation," Mr Kaplale told the Jakarta Post.

Indonesia's parliament, which contains a large bloc of Islamic-based MPs, wants to amend the criminal code to outlaw anything that could offend decency or "arouse lust" in children.

That includes husbands and wives kissing in public, unmarried couples living together and homosexual sex, along with any flash of thighs, bottoms or breasts, punishable by up to 10 years in jail and heavy fines of more than $A100,000.

The new laws are being pushed by Islamic-based parties, although the secular Yudhoyono has also complained about moral lapses like the fashion for bare belly-buttons.

After weeks of public rallies both for and against the measures in Bali, Jakarta and other major cities, Golkar party MP Rustam Tamburaka said tourists wearing bikinis and other skimpy swimsuits would be safe from arrest by police.

Papuan tribesmen wearing traditional penis-covering gourds known as koteka also had no reason for concern, he said.

"It is the tradition they bring from their countries," Mr Rustam told the Jakarta Post.

"There may be some exceptions in the bill for Bali and Papua."

More than 1000 Balinese demonstrators last week gathered in front of vice-governor Alit Kelakan's office to protest against the bills and watch G-string wearing dancers threaten secession if the bills were passed into law.

Many major Indonesian artists and actors have also voiced opposition, claiming the crackdown would be a blow to human rights freedoms.

Balinese sculptors and artists have complained the laws would prevent them painting or making nude or topless statues, even where they reflect traditional temple art.

"In the past, Balinese women never wore a bra, yet the custom did not turn the society into a sex-craving, pornographically demented community," rally organiser Cok Sawitri said.

Mr Rustam said the changes, which could include dropping fines, would be considered this week.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/bali-bikinis-to-stay/2007/03/06/1141493604475.html

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