Bali Will Not Enforce Porn Law

DENPASAR, Indonesia — Bali’s governor and speaker of the provincial legislative council declared Friday that the province would not be able to enforce a newly passed wide-sweeping anti-pornography law. Bali’s tourism industry and churches in East Nusa Tengarra also have joined in defiance.

The current draft of the bill defines pornography as "man-made sexual materials either in the forms of drawings, sketches, illustrations, photographs, texts, voices, sound, moving pictures, animations, cartoons, poetry, conversations, gestures or other forms of communicative messages through various kinds of media; and performances in front of the public, which may incite sexual desire and or violate moral ethics in the community."

Gov. Made Mangku Pastika and Speaker Ida Bagus Putu Wesnawa signed a written statement publicly declaring Bali’s inability to implement the law passed by the House of Representatives.

"With the passing of the porn bill on Thursday, we hereby declare that we cannot carry it out because it is not in line with Balinese philosophical and sociological values," Pastika said at a meeting.

"We further implore every element of the Balinese public to keep calm, stay alert, not be easily provoked and maintain the appropriate atmosphere to maintain the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia."

Pastika did not elaborate on how the declaration would be put into effect, simply calling it a “statement.” He said the signed document would not be sent to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono or any government officials.

“This declaration will reach them anyway,” he said.

According to Pastika, pursuing a constitutional challenge is still being considered by the provincial administration, however was the next most viable option. On Tuesday, members of Bali’s tourism industry declared their support of this next step.

Head of Bali Tourism Board Ida Bagus Ngurah said the industry was ready to support any legal challenge to the bill and applauded the declaration made by Pastika and Wesnawa.

"That was indeed representative of our Balinese feelings as a community. We salute and support the governor and DPRD speaker" Ngurah said.

Head of the Bali Tourism Workers Union Badung I Putu Satyawira also declared his support for a judicial review of the pornography.

"We are in full support of the judicial review because it is obviously detrimental to our business and our livelihood," he said, adding that the bill would hurt employees in the tourism industry because it might discourage visitors to the island.

On Tuesday, churches in East Nusa Tenggara also rejected the passage of the bill.

Rev. Eben Nuban Timo of the Timor Messiah Evangelical Church said the bill could provoke national disintegration and hamper people’s creativity in preserving local traditions.

Timo said the churches would join in support of a judicial review with the Constitutional Court.

The organizations are waiting for further development, including the president’s signature on the bill. Under the Indonesian legislation system, if a bill is not signed within 30 days after the House passes it, it automatically becomes legally binding.

The pornography bill was passed with support from 10 of 12 factions in the House. The remaining two, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle and the Prosperous Peace Party walked out during the voting.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Federal Appeals Court Vacates FTC 'Click to Cancel' Rule Pending Review

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit on Tuesday vacated the Federal Trade Commission’s “click-to-cancel” rule aimed at making it easier for consumers to cancel online subscriptions, pending further review.

NYC Adult Stores Lose Challenge to Zoning Law, May Face Relocation

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit on Tuesday upheld a lower court’s decision to allow enforcement of a 2001 zoning law aimed at forcing adult retail stores out of most parts of New York City.

FSC Drops Florida AV Lawsuit in Wake of SCOTUS Decision

A U.S. district court judge granted on Tuesday a motion by Free Speech Coalition to dismiss the trade association’s lawsuit over Florida’s age verification law, a case that had been on hold pending the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the constitutionality of state AV laws.

Ukrainian President Responds to Porn Legalization Petition

President Volodymyr Zelensky responded Tuesday to an OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine, stating that he would wait for the legislative process to play out “in accordance with established procedure.”

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult Industry, Override Possible

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

FSC Unpacks SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling in Webinar

The Free Speech Coalition conducted a public webinar Tuesday to help adult industry stakeholders understand the Supreme Court’s recent decision in FSC v. Paxton, and its potential implications.

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect in South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

Show More