Valentine's Day Banned In Some Indonesian Cities

[Chiron]

Okay, I'll be the first to admit that not having Valentine's Day isn't a deal breaker for enjoying life in Indonesia. After all, it's often promoted by greeting card and chocolate companies - not to mention all the flower and rose growers. However, it just seems to be a bit over the top in banning the event. The article from The Straits Times (below), say that Islamic clerics see it as Western decadence. Would it be incorrect to say that Indonesia as a whole is taking on a more fundamentalist direction in recent times?

To be fair, the ban isn't nationwide - applying to certain cities only, and there are people still practicing a "moderate form" of the event with of course - cards, chocolates, and flowers.

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/goodbye-to-romance-indonesian-cities-ban-valentines-day

 

[ponyexpress]

Would it be incorrect to say that Indonesia as a whole is taking on a more fundamentalist direction in recent times?

To be fair, the ban isn't nationwide - applying to certain cities only, and there are people still practicing a "moderate form" of the event with of course - cards, chocolates, and flowers.

http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/goodbye-to-romance-indonesian-cities-ban-valentines-day

No doubt there are some groups within society that embrace a rather extreme form of pietism. But this is far from a nationwide phenomenon despite more people show more Islamic outlook than before. If fundamentalism holds its sway in Indonesia, you'll see political parties with Islamic values will win elections.

 

[Daniel50]

Hey, I am all for banning Valentines Day........but not for religious reasons. Hmmmm..... maybe I will have to review what they are against. Perhaps I have more in common with them then I realized. I wonder if they have brochures. I guess we shall see what direction things head. It appears things are moving in that direction.

 

[Dan]

"In 2017, city authorities raided convenience stores to seize condoms in a bid to stop teenagers from having sex on Feb 14."

Because everyone knows that teenagers refuse to have sex when condoms aren't available.

 

[Anglian]

Oh I didn’t know that, teenagers only have sex on feb 14th, must be hard to be a teenager now

 

[Chiron]

I'm trying to imagine what the police are looking for on Valentine's Day. From looking at the picture in the article, it appears that everyone was wearing helmets. Whatever was going on, was apparently the result of a motor scooter ride somewhere. So, the good news here is that the police aren't breaking down doors on houses to get at these people. There must apparently be "certain locations" that are well known to the police for nabbing these culprits. Was there possibly a tent involved, or trails leading to secret clearings in a park or jungle? I can't believe that they were just riding around on their scooter, and the police officers said something like: "hey check it out - a young guy with a girl on that scooter, and she's got a heart shaped box of chocolates in her hand - let's get em!!"

 

[jstar]

And in two days we will have Chap Goh Meh, you could say it’s the Chinese Valentine's Day.

It takes place on the 15th night in the Chinese New Year.