False Sense of Maturity

There is nothing like a harsh, Islam-inspired anti-pornography law to bring out protesters, as is happening on the Indonesian island of Bali:

About 400 people marched through the Balinese capital Denpasar in defiance of the law passed by mainly Muslim lawmakers in Jakarta last month.

Protesters denounced as too broad the law’s definition of pornography, saying it was a threat to Indonesia’s diverse non-Muslim minorities and could shatter national unity.

High-spirited protesters in traditional sarongs and translucent temple blouses marched toward the provincial governor’s office, cheering wildly at traditional dances and performances by local pop singers in curve-hugging pants.

The law will discriminate against some ethnic groups:

The chair of the West Papua provincial parliament, Jimmy Demianus Ijie, said the law passed after years of deliberation in Jakarta criminalised Papuan culture, where many people go semi-naked.

“I’ve taken part in many Papuan performances in many places and I’ve only worn traditional clothes, but you could see my arse and I was swaying my hips, I was being sexy. Are they going to arrest me for that too?” he told reporters.

A court challenge may overturn the law. If it fails, activists are promising “a massive civil disobedience campaign,” which could get very interesting.