Ban All Erotic Stage Shows: Balikpapan, Kalimantan

By Barrie | April 21st, 2008 | No Comments

Following Tangerang and Bandung, the Balikpapan municipal administration has banned all erotic stage performances in an effort to restore morality among the city’s young generation. The ban was issued after a meeting between relevant local authorities, religious figures and informal leaders in the city.

“We are of the same opinion as that of the municipal city administration; that erotic performances of singers and dancers, as well as the distribution of their CDs, VCDs and cassettes in the city, should be banned,” head of local religious affairs Muhammad Kosasih said.

He explained the ban was not regulated and would not be criminalized, “but city authorities, including the police, will not issue any permits for erotic stage performances”.

“All celebrities are allowed to come to the city and hold music concerts and other cultural performances to entertain residents with an official permit from authorities, provided all requirements set by the government are met,” he said.

He insisted the local government had no intentions to bar certain celebrities or singers from performing in the city, “but what we are banning are erotic stage performance and porn products endangering youth morality.”

The Tangerang and Bandung municipal authorities have barred dangdut singer star Dewi Persik from performing in the two cities because her erotic attire, singing and dancing are considered to be sexually arousing.

He said the city received numerous complaints from local religious organizations and informal leaders who asked the city to ban erotic stage performances.

“The ban is based on input from the local Indonesian Ulemas Association and the Forum for Common Religious Harmony, representing all denominations in the city,” he said, adding no youths nor celebrities have filed any complaints.

Asked whether such a ban was against the freedom of expression guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution, Kosasih said artists and celebrities should exercise their freedom creatively without encouraging youths to commit sexual misconduct.

He said city authorities were aware the erotic singers had their fans. “Most parents are no longer in control of their children and, therefore, the government has an obligation to create a healthy environment for their psychological and mental growth.”

Some may question whether it is the government’s role to intervene in parenting and determine the nature of morality.

“We have to salvage the young generation from secularism, drug abuse and pornography, regardless of the Constitution, modernity and freedom. We are developing a nation with morals. The nation’s future depends on this generation’s current condition,” replied Kosasih.

Ridwan Max Sijabat