Sex tape scandal grips Indonesian public

Last Updated: Fri, 18 Jun 2010 21:17:00 +1000

Indonesia's first celebrity sex scandal is set put the country's controversial anti-pornography laws to the test.

The video, which surfaced earlier this month, features well-known Indonesian singer Nazril Irham, also known as Ariel, and his actress girlfriend Luna Maya.

Another sex tape has also appeared on the internet with Ariel and a different married TV presenter Cut Tari.

The scandal has gripped the nation, with many people around Indonesia having downloaded the footage.

Julia Perez, an Indonesian model and singer, says the sex tape is a hot topic in the country.

"Everyone has seen it, it's all anyone has been talking about."

But there have been repercussions for the stars.

Endorsement lost

Ariel, who's lead singer of the popular band Peter Pan, has been nicknamed "Peter Porn" by the Indonesian Press and, along with his girlfriend, has been dumped as the face of Lux beauty soap.

The stars are also facing possible prosecution.

General Banbang Hendarso Danuri, Chief of National Police, says they are in process of deciding whether the stars should face charges.

"We have to go through all the evidence and see whether the elements of the porn law and the information and electronic transaction law. If they are fulfilled then there will be a legal action. Everything is still being processed now."

In Indonesia, anyone who makes pornography faces a lengthy sentence, after anti-porn legislation was introduced two years ago.

Drafted by Islamic parties, the laws make it illegal to produce, download or distribute pornographic material.

Laws improve morals

Buchori Yusuf, from the Islamic PKS party, says the laws improve morals in Indonesia and the celebrities should be punished.

"Law enforcement should be courageous in enforcing the law and the government should be proactive in preventative action, to try to avoid this kind of thing happening again."

Mr Yusuf says the laws should be toughened to protect children.

"We are worried about the future generations. Can you imagine minors, school children, junior high, they've been consuming very vulgar adult content material."

"Morals are as important as fighting corruption. This is about how the nation is in the future, the character of the nation in the future. If the morals of this nation are destroyed what have we got left."

But critics of the anti-pornography laws say the sex tapes were for private consumption and the celebrities are victims.

Want to see more

Nursyahbani Katjasungkana, Director of the Institute for the Indonesian Women's Association for Justice, says banning pornography only makes people want to see more of it.

"It's normal, it's logic, because here in Indonesia sexuality has been repressed by the state through the porn law through the religious leaders, through fatwa and through the minister of religion. It comes because they don't understand what sexuality is, it's very human."

She watched the videos with her colleagues and says Indonesian politicians should get their heads out of the sand.

"The problem is that the government refuses the idea of conducting sex education so that's why children are looking for themselves, that's very natural, very expected."

President backs porn filter

Indonesia's President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, has indicated his support for an internet filter to block pornography.

There's been widespread outrage in Indonesia over the recent release online of homemade x-rated videos apparently showing popular celebrities.

President Yudhoyono has up to now steered clear of the issue, but today he said other countries have introduced internet filters, and that the incident had demonstrated a need for greater regulation.

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