Indonesia Asks Playboy to Stop Publishing
Indonesian officials have asked Playboy magazine to stop publishing, lest representatives of the Religion of Peace™ become angered. (Hat tip: Allah.)
JAKARTA, Indonesia�Apr 13, 2006�(AP)—�Police asked Playboy magazine Thursday to stop publishing its Indonesian edition out of fears it could enrage Muslims, and officials of the publication said they were considering the request.
Previously, police and government officials said that there were no laws to ban the magazine, which does not feature any nudity and is no more risque than scores of other local and foreign publications already being sold in the world’s most populous Muslim nation.
Ponti Carolus, the director of Playboy’s publishing company, said the magazine would think about the request by police.
“Give us 24 hours, and we will let you know our decision,” he told reporters at city police headquarters after meeting the police chief. “We are very glad to have input from the Jakarta police. It was quite wise.”
Protests of the magazine so far have been small and peaceful, aside from a rowdy demonstration Wednesday that saw around 150 Muslims throw stones at its offices in south Jakarta.