Balinese protest anti-pornography bill

Thousands of Balinese in traditional outfits rallied on the Indonesian island yesterday against an anti-pornography bill derided by critics as a threat to local cultures.

More than 5000 protesters occupied the lawn of the local Parliament on the mostly Hindu island to oppose the bill, which is under deliberation by mostly Muslim politicians in the capital Jakarta.

Protesters denounced the proposed law as a threat to local customs on the island, where naked temple statues proliferate and skimpily dressed foreign tourists unwind on famous beaches.