Thousands rally to support Indonesia anti-porn bill

JAKARTA, May 21: More than 5,000 people from various Islamic groups rallied in the Indonesian capital today to press parliament to pass an anti-pornography bill.

Supporters of the hardline Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) and Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia gathered outside the parliament building with banners reading ''Pornography can destroy nation's morality'' and ''Indonesia should be civilised''.

Participants included many women in traditional Islamic headscarves and toddlers.

Elshinta radio reported another 5,000 people, also including women, rallied in Semarang in Central Java.

A draft law addressing pornography issues has been circulating for more than two years in parliament in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, and it is now at a crossroads as lawmakers have publicly invited advice from lobby groups.

REUTERS