Strong influence
There is widespread agreement across many sections of Indonesian society that
highly explicit material should be restricted to adults.
But groups such as the country's press council - which has made representations
asking for the bill to be dropped - fear conservative groups are using the
anti-porn bill to push for more Islamic-based laws.
In particular, the wording of the new bill has caused deep concern. It could
ban what is described as "porno action", such as displaying the navel or acts
such as kissing in public. Both will be punishable by five years in prison or a
250 million rupiah fine.
"The way they define pornography is more of eroticism and sensuality," Dr
Arrivia said.
"Porno actually means also banning kissing in public, and also dancing
erotically is also considered pornography.
"What they consider sensual is the way women dress - so this is really about
covering women up, and this is ridiculous."
John Sidel, a Professor of International and Comparative Politics at the London
School of Economics, said that Islamist parties want to have a strong influence
on the passage of the bill - despite their minority status.
"I certainly think that there are people who feel strongly about this issue in
a genuine way. On the other hand there are others who are no doubt making use
of this as an issue to remind people that they should be good or better
Muslims," he said.
"There are people who are using this issue to extract favours, and who would
like to make some kind of mileage on this issue - not just for publicity's
sake, but also, perhaps, to increase their regulatory power in Indonesian
society.
"Islamists have done rather poorly over the last 10 years, and are in a secular
decline - so they're making the most of the residual influence they might have
on these kinds of issues."
"Pornographic action"
He added that while he believed the bill is not intended as a stepping stone to
implementing Sharia law, is was possible it could "open up the door to a
broadly Islamist form of regulation of everyday life."
However, advocates of the bill have demonstrated in force, with more than
10,000 activists on the streets of the capital Jakarta last week to show their
backing for the tougher laws.
Thousands more turned out for demonstrations - organised by mosques and
conservative Islamic groups - in towns across Indonesia.
"As a mother, I fully support the government's efforts to introduce an
anti-pornography bill," one demonstrator told Analysis.
"We feel that pornography is dangerous for our children."
One of the key figures invoked in the debate is pop star Inul Daratista, whose
performances on prime time TV involve a style of dancing known as "drilling" -
swivelling her hips and twisting towards the ground.
Her performances have offended many conservative observers, who argue they are
concerned that girls from ordinary backgrounds - like Inul's - may copy her
dancing.
Dr Zuo Kiflimanca, an MP from the Islamic Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS),
said he wants to see much tighter controls on what he views as "pornographic
action."
"In principle, my party will support the bill - with the understanding that a
lot of porn magazines and some programmes on television are not right for our
children," he said.
"So the message is that to save the future of our children, we should create
this kind of bill."
BBC
