JAKARTA, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- The Indonesian parliament, rejecting strong opposition from artists and human rights groups, passed a bill banning pornography.
The measure, banning all works and acts deemed obscene or capable of going against public morality, was approved Thursday despite months of protests by those opposed to it, the Jakarta Post reported.
Violators of the law can be jailed for up to 10 years or fined heavily.
Opponents including human rights and pluralist groups and several provinces warned the bill goes against national unity and will discriminate against minority groups and women in the world's largest Muslim country.
Several lawmakers walked out to show their opposition to the measure, the Post reported.
"This is what we need to fight pornography. This law will complete our legal system to protect us from pornographic materials," Religious Affairs Minister Maftuh Basyuni was quoted as saying.
Hidayat Nur Wahid, a member of the Islamic-based Prosperous Justice Party, denied the new law will discriminate against any section of society.
"This (bill) only shows that the House and the government have politicized morality and religion and are just using them as a means of retaining power," National Commission for Women's Protection chairwoman Kamala Chandrakirana said in a statement.
