These news stories are not particularly big, and not really related to one another. But I think they diagnose a bit of what is the worst of Indonesia. In my opinion they represent the continuing shift towards a more conservative, intolerant, unfeeling and unthinking society. Largely abetted by leaders, who for years continue to be totalitarian, despite officially being a democracy.
The first story is from North Sumatera, where the head of Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) has threatened to close the school's student publication. The reason? It has published a short story that has LGBT content. The short story, titled "When Everyone Rejects My Presence Near Her", a work of fiction, has a couple sentences that are deemed problematic. One is, "What's wrong with me not liking men, but liking women, even tough I am a woman", and another, "If you always bring religion, God is bored". Oh and it is illustrated with a woman that has rainbow colored hair.
For this horrible transgression, the rector of USU, Runtung Sitepu has said he will close the publication. He says that "the content no longer reflects the vision and mission of USU". Presumably that vision and mission excludes teaching their students critical thinking.
He has also instructed the publications website and social media accounts to delete the story. He said, USU strongly rejects any LBGT groups within it's campus.
The second story is peripherally related to the New Zealand shooting. Apparently the deranged killer has a played a video game called Player Unknown's Battle Ground (PUBG). The highly popular game is played by tens of millions of people around the world and is of the Battle Royale genre. In this genre you compete with other players to be the last person standing, while killing all other players using in game weapons. In PUBG these weapons are fairly realistic in appearance.
Now, the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) is evaluating the game whether it should be deemed permissible or haram to play. It is obviously not the first time video games are blamed for violence, but what is truly annoying is that the Ministry of Communication and Information has stated it is ready to block the game upon MUI's recommendation. Never mind the millions of non-Muslim Indonesians for which MUI's opinion doesn't apply. This means MUI's recommendations will dictate government policy affecting all Indonesians, despite the government nominally representing all religions approved in Indonesia. No word if MUI is going to be evaluating (or are even aware of) the dozens or so other games in the genre, some far more popular than PUBG.
Finally, the third story is about mermaids. To be precise, the mermaid statues at the Putri Duyung Resort in Ancol, North Jakarta. Yesterday the Jakarta post reported that the statues, originally bare breasted are now sporting fabric coverings. Even though the story invited wide ridicule on social media, the management of Taman Impian Jaya Ancol defended the move. A spokesperson said that it is merely an adjustment to Eastern norms and culture, although she didn't elaborate which "eastern culture" she is referencing to. "We are easterners, with eastern cultures, so if something is inappropriate, we make it appropriate", she was quoted as saying.
This continues a trend of some Indonesians getting increasingly worried that inanimate objects such as statues are somehow a threat to their well being.
A hapless statue, now somewhat more modest. (Jakarta Post)
The first story is from North Sumatera, where the head of Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) has threatened to close the school's student publication. The reason? It has published a short story that has LGBT content. The short story, titled "When Everyone Rejects My Presence Near Her", a work of fiction, has a couple sentences that are deemed problematic. One is, "What's wrong with me not liking men, but liking women, even tough I am a woman", and another, "If you always bring religion, God is bored". Oh and it is illustrated with a woman that has rainbow colored hair.
For this horrible transgression, the rector of USU, Runtung Sitepu has said he will close the publication. He says that "the content no longer reflects the vision and mission of USU". Presumably that vision and mission excludes teaching their students critical thinking.
He has also instructed the publications website and social media accounts to delete the story. He said, USU strongly rejects any LBGT groups within it's campus.
Unggah Cerpen Bertema LGBT, Media Suara USU Terancam Dibubarkan
Rektor USU mengancam akan menghentikan penyiaran media online Suara USU karena mengunggah cerpen yang diduga mengenai kelompok LGBT.
nasional.tempo.co
Gara-gara Cerpen Rektor USU Ancam Bubarkan UKM Pers Mahasiswa Suara Universitas Sumatera Utara - Tribun-medan.com
Ia menegaskan akan melakukan tindakan dengan membubarkan Suara USU. Suara USU sudah melakukan hal yang tidak sesuai dengan visi dan misi
medan.tribunnews.com
The second story is peripherally related to the New Zealand shooting. Apparently the deranged killer has a played a video game called Player Unknown's Battle Ground (PUBG). The highly popular game is played by tens of millions of people around the world and is of the Battle Royale genre. In this genre you compete with other players to be the last person standing, while killing all other players using in game weapons. In PUBG these weapons are fairly realistic in appearance.
Now, the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) is evaluating the game whether it should be deemed permissible or haram to play. It is obviously not the first time video games are blamed for violence, but what is truly annoying is that the Ministry of Communication and Information has stated it is ready to block the game upon MUI's recommendation. Never mind the millions of non-Muslim Indonesians for which MUI's opinion doesn't apply. This means MUI's recommendations will dictate government policy affecting all Indonesians, despite the government nominally representing all religions approved in Indonesia. No word if MUI is going to be evaluating (or are even aware of) the dozens or so other games in the genre, some far more popular than PUBG.
Kominfo Siap Blokir PUBG Usai Ada Kajian MUI
Kemenkominfo mengatakan akan memblokir Player Unknown's Battlegrouds (PUBG) apabila dinilai memang merusak para gamer setelah melalui kajian oleh MUI.
www.cnnindonesia.com
Finally, the third story is about mermaids. To be precise, the mermaid statues at the Putri Duyung Resort in Ancol, North Jakarta. Yesterday the Jakarta post reported that the statues, originally bare breasted are now sporting fabric coverings. Even though the story invited wide ridicule on social media, the management of Taman Impian Jaya Ancol defended the move. A spokesperson said that it is merely an adjustment to Eastern norms and culture, although she didn't elaborate which "eastern culture" she is referencing to. "We are easterners, with eastern cultures, so if something is inappropriate, we make it appropriate", she was quoted as saying.
This continues a trend of some Indonesians getting increasingly worried that inanimate objects such as statues are somehow a threat to their well being.
A hapless statue, now somewhat more modest. (Jakarta Post)
Ancol covers nude mermaid statues - City - The Jakarta Post
The mermaid statues in Ancol are not the first artworks in public places that have caused controversy.
www.thejakartapost.com
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