Pornography

From Bali Post, Sunday, 28 September 2008
Translated by Putu Semiada

It is the first time the foodstall is very crowded in the morning. All the sekehe tuak* members were there. They are planning to demonstrate against the Pornography Laws. Everyone is wearing shoes, carrying Indonesian red and white flag and wearing black sun-glasses.
“The flag means that we love and loyal to our country,” says I Komang Kolor Lelor to his grandson waiting for him in front of the house gate to ask him for money to buy packed potato chips (ciki).
Komang regrets having said that. His grandson crying loudly asking for red and white coloured packed ciki, that he believes is able to show loyality to the country.
I Wayan Kebus Dingin has another story. He is not allowed to join the demonstration by his wife. “Why are you spending your time in such a hot weather. It’s useless. It’s better you stay home as you can dry at leat two sacks of the unhulled rice”, his wife says.
“You are such a small mind person for not understanding political issue. You only care of yourself, you never care of big ideas,” Wayan shouts to his wife.
His wife doesn’t accept what Wayan says, and gets mad at him.
“You don’t think that I don’t understand about the pornography laws. I really care of my country, but I’m already menopause, and you are impotent, we both can not do something ‘pornography’ anymore. So why should we waste our time,” his wife keeps talking.
What Made’s wife says has been heard by the sekehe tuak members as she speaks very loud. Everybody shakes their heads. They are sorry for Wayan who is already impotent.
“Never think that these laws really deal with pornography. If so, I am the first person who against them,” I Made Wiraswatawan Demonstran says.
This is really a bad law. Everything is considered pornography – whether it’s an art work, song lyrics, photos, even voices. As long as it stimulates your sexual deside, then it is considered pornography. Anybody having or bringing them will be become a suspect and fined billions of Rupiahs.
“When you watch a beautiful and sexy singer singing about teenage love story, and make you horny, so who is being porn then? The beautiful singer or the song maker, or dirty mind of me?” Wayan asks.
From ethical point of view, it is Wayan should be blamed. However if the pornography regulation to be applied, then the singer and song maker should be.
‘So if I happen to be horny having seen your wife, then your wife will be arrested as she would be considered as a pornography ‘thing’. And when I am at the court being horny having seen the judge and attorney, they are supposed to be arrested too, as they have made people horny,’ says Wayan.
Everyone is laughing loudly as it is the first time for them to hear about this clumsy regulation.
This draft of regulation never appreciates women. If you happen read section by section, you will note that only women are blamed for pornography. The laws strictly states how a woman should wear dress, etc.” says Made.
And then Komang adds:
“If they mean to underestimate or blame the women, the mothers, just kick them, no need to talk anymore to those people who don’t know that are born from their mothers’ placenta.”
Wayan is getting mad.
“Why should they blame the women? I would give an example; a prostitute is only a victim. It’s the man like me who uses and pays her should be blamed. It’s me who seduce, touch and flirt her. So it’s me who has dirty mind.”
Everyone is giving applause. They are now very eager to join the demonstration. Yet until late afternoon, nobody seems to stand up. Everybody is making an excuse for not joining.
“It’s too hot outside. I am to old too join. I might get a stroke,” Komang excuses.
“Sorry, I’m going to pick up my kids at school first,” says Wayan as he sneaks away.
“Let the officials take care big things. Let’s us just keep drinking palm toddy,” Made continues.
That’s the typical Balinese. They are easy to talk. But when it comes to ‘action’, they will wait for further ‘instruction’.
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sekehe tuak* = Balinese men whose hobby are drinking palm toddy (tuak)