CAIRO, March 2, 2006 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – To defend morality in the most populous Muslim country, the Indonesian government has introduced a new regulation to scrutinize the content of TV programs as the parliament debates a pornography bill, The Jakarta Post reported on Thursday, March 2.

"Before this, all TV stations ignored our warnings on their inappropriate broadcast content, saying there were no grounds for legal action," said Ade Armando of the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI).

"But it is different now, we can report them to the police if they are proved to have broadcast violence and sexual (content)."

The new regulation empowers the KPI to report TV stations airing programs containing violence, sexual content and occult themes to police.

It also gives the information and communication minister the right to revoke a TV station's broadcasting license if the station violates program standards and guidelines issued by the KPI.

"We are doing this for the public, because the frequencies used by TV stations are public domain," Ade said.

"So we have to make sure that the TV stations are serving the public and not their own business interests."

Local television programming is notorious for horror and occult shows, violence-packed movies and sexually suggestive content in soaps and music shows.

They are often aired in prime time hours when young viewers are watching.

Muslims make up some eighty percent of Indonesia's 220-million population.

The KPI will work together with the Film Censorship Institute to identify programs with graphic sexuality and violence.

Stations submit 10 to 20 percent of their programs for approval, Titie Said, the institute's head, said.

Ade said handling violators will be done on stages.

"We will send three warning letters, with the first letter asking for clarification. If they do not clarify and pay no attention to the other two letters, then we will go to the police."

By reporting the matter to police, Ade added, legal procedures for revoking the license could begin.

To be valid, the revocation process requires a court ruling.

Several TV stations said they supported the new regulation because it would foster better relations with viewers.

"We support this because we need a good 'sparring' partner when we are doing our job so that we can make sure that we give the best to the audience," said Jak TV brand manager Renanda Bachtiar.

In a related development, the House of Representatives has dusted off a pornography bill submitted in 1992.

Article 79 of the bill mandates a Rp 200 million ($21,000) fine and a minimal jail term of two years for "showing off sensual parts of the female body."

This would affect people sunbathing at beaches, roaming around in tops, wearing loose blouses, as well as dancers and art pieces.

The bill stipulates jail terms of up to seven years for "acts and publication of acts deemed indecent or sexually arousing."

Another article legislates a similar jail term for people caught kissing in public.

Many Muslim groups, including the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Islam Defenders Front (FPI) and the Islamic Forum (FUI), believe an anti-indecency law is necessary to lift the country from the gutter of moral decay.

But artists, the press and liberal-minded Indonesians protest the bill, arguing that pornography is loosely defined.

Bali, the renowned tourism destination, opposes the bill on the ground that it would affect tourism and is filing a petition demanding that the bill be scrapped.

Legislators deliberating the bill have tried to appease opponents by offering "exceptions."

For instance, they suggested allowing "erotic" artworks to be displayed, but only in venues sanctioned by the government, or offering loose interpretations of sensuality in areas where it is a local tradition.

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