Jakarta: Indonesian entertainers have rallied against a draft law that seeks to ban blasphemous and “pornographic” music content, which critics say could be used to clamp down on freedom of expression in the Muslim-majority nation. More than 100 protestors – many carrying placards or playing guitars and drums – took to the streets of Bogor, near Jakarta, on Sunday to demonstrate against the proposed law.
An online appeal calling for the vaguely worded bill to be scrapped has been signed by nearly 270,000 people. Under the proposed law, musicians would be prevented from “bringing negative influences from foreign cultures and/or degrading human dignity” in Indonesia.
As well as cracking down on blasphemous and “pornographic” content, it imposes onerous new requirements on musicians, such as carrying out competency tests to gain certification. The legislation, which is being considered by parliament, could see musicians jailed or fined for failing to comply.
Artists say the vague wording of the draft law could lead to misuse by authorities. Danilla Riyadi, who initiated the petition on behalf of a coalition of concerned musicians, said the bill is “very dangerous and could be the gateway for a group of people to persecute the creative process of people they dislike.”
