All porn sites will be blocked before Ramadhan: Tifatul

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Thu, 07/22/2010 1:17 PM | Headlines

Tifatul Sembiring

Information and Communications Minister Tifatul Sembiring said in Jakarta on Thursday that his ministry would block all local and foreign porn sites and the target for the completion of the blockage will before Ramadhan fasting month (next month).

“Insya Allah [God willing] we will finish the job before Ramadhan so as not to affect [Muslims] from executing their religious obligation,” Tifatul told reporters before attending a plenary Cabinet meeting at the Presidential office in Jakarta.

The minister further said that one of the mandates of the pornography law said that the state was obliged to protect its people from any negative impacts of pornography. The former president of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) also reminded of the prison sentences that range from 6 to 12 years for those found guilty of distributing pornographic material.

“Be careful, because there are legal implementations. Also be mindful in the distribution of pornographic sentences because a legal lawsuit can be filed on such an act. [Pornographic sentences] are a part of pornography,” Tifatul said as quoted by kompas.com news portal.

What about Internet users who can still access porn sites despite the block? “The thing is, those who can overcome technology are limited in number,” he said.

RI seeking to repatriate Indonesian footballers from the Netherlands

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 07/21/2010 4:52 PM | Headlines

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The Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI) and the National Team Body (BTN) have announced plans to recruit three or four players from the Netherlands, specifically under 21-year-olds of Indonesian descent.

The body will begin its selection process in September in the Netherlands, BTN chairman Iman Arif said.

“The registration and training camp program are open for all young [soccer players] of Indonesian descent in the Netherlands. I hear that those children are really good at soccer.

“After the selection process, we will make an offer to the best players to change their nationality to join the Indonesian team,” Iman said Wednesday as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.

The PSSI has reportedly approached Serginho van Dijk, 27, who currently plays for Adelaide United Football Club of Australia.

Iman said BTN would announce the list of Indonesian team players on Aug. 24. “Hopefully, five new players from the naturalization program will soon join the squad,” he said.

NU bans raids on nightclubs

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sat, 07/17/2010 10:41 PM | Headlines

Said Aqiel Siradj: JP

Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Said Aqiel Siradj warned members of the country’s largest Muslim organization against conducting raids on amusement centers ahead of Ramadan fasting month.

 

Said Aqiel asked NU members not to take the law into their hands and commit acts of violence in the name of religion.

“To maintain peaceful atmosphere during Ramadan NU members should refrain themselves from violence and taking the law into their own hands. Only police who have the authority to take action against or raid nightclubs,” he said during NU anniversary celebration in Kudus, Central Java on Saturday.

He also called on other Muslim groups to drop any plan to conduct raids on amusement centers prior to or during Ramadan, which he said would tarnish the solemnity of the fasting month itself.

NU members, he added, were responsible to help law enforcers create a favorable environment for Muslims to perform their religious duties during Ramadan, which this year will start on Aug. 11.

"NU aims to realize a unitary state of Indonesia which upholds the Constitution, unity in diversity and state ideology Pancasila. If the law enforcers cannot uphold the law, we must support and help them,” he said as quoted by Antara.

National Police chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri had pledged to take actions against hard-line groups or vigilantes known to have committed acts of violence ahead of Ramadan.

Book an alternative for TV, activist says

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 07/20/2010 6:25 PM | National

   Books for children (JP)

The Communication and Information Community (MAKSI) has called on parents to provide alternative entertainments, including books, to their children on the No TV Day, which falls on July 25.

Community chairman Paulus Widiyanto said Tuesday parents could help prevent their children from being addicted to television, which observers say displays too much violence.

“Families need to have entertainment devices other than TV sets so that children can spend the No TV Day without television,” Paulus told a discussion organized by the Al Azhar University in South Jakarta.

He added that he used to encourage his family members to stay at his private library on the No TV Day.

“Book is a choice of alternative entertainment in our family. How about other families?” he was quoted by kompas.com.

He suggested that the parents introduce No TV Hours to their children as an action plan following the No TV Day.