Indonesia looks to ban negative ‘foreign’ musical influences, leaving hundreds of musicians horrified
- The proposed new law has brought together performance artists from across the country and musical spectrum to form a coalition rejecting it
Hundreds of musicians in Indonesia have lashed out against what they say is a ludicrous draft law that could “destroy” freedom of expression.
Among the most contentious aspects of the draft is Article 5, which outlaws “negative foreign influences” as well as blasphemous or pornographic content, punishable by imprisonment or a fine.
The article states: “In creating, everyone is prohibited from […] bringing negative influences from foreign cultures or demeaning a human being’s dignity.”
Jerinx, a member of the Indonesian punk-rock band Superman is Dead, is one of 200 musicians who have criticised the proposed legislation.
Writing on his Instagram account, Jerinx said the draft bill would “rape his rights of freedom of expression, and eventually destroy them”.
The Balinese drummer also pointed to what he described as “high-level hypocrisy” from the Indonesian government, given that President Joko Widodo is widely known as a fan of foreign heavy metal bands such as Metallica.
