JAKARTA, June 18 -- Eight-months after the government banned a book containing photographs of Dewi Sukarno in the buff, nude photos of the Japanese-born widow of Indonesia's first president ware reportedly available locally on floppy disks, newspapers reported Saturday.
The government in October officially banned distribution of the book containing nude photograhps of Dewi, saying it 'could besmirch the name of the late President' and it could 'hurt the feelings of Indonesians. '
The book, entitled 'Madame D. Syuga,' or 'Superior in Elegance,' published in Japan, drew criticism from government ministers and public figures throughout the country.
Dewi defended the book, however, claiming the work is artistic. She also lashed out atthe governemnt for the ban.
The Jakarta Post reported that the floppy disk, containing nude shots of Dewi, were in wide circulation in Semarang, the provincial capital of central Java and its surrounding cities.
It said the pictures were available in a program called 'Compushow,' created by Bob Berry from Canyon State System and Software, a U.S. company.
There has been no attempt by local officials to stop the sales of the floppy disk so far, the report said.
Dewi, 54, sparked a public uproar last year after warning she would consider reclaiming her Japanese citizenship because of poor treatment by the Indonesian government.
Sukarno, the flamboyant and charismatic former Indonesian leader, married Dewi, a trained Geisha originally named Naoko Nemoto, in 1962 and changed her name to one he preferred -- Ratna Sari Dewi.
After a flurry reports about Dewi's anger with the Indonesian government, Jakarta authorities in November paid Dewi up to $2.85 million to compensate her for a house she was given by her late husband.
The government also said a piece of land owned by Dewi in the western Java city of Bogor -- now occupied by a government agency -- also would be returned to her.
Sukarno was ousted by President Suharto after a failed left-wing communist coupt attempt in 1965, which the current president helped to suppress. Suharto has ruled the nation since 1966.
