Jakarta (Indonesia): A toned-down edition of Playboy magazine went on sale in Indonesia on Friday, defying threats of protests by Islamic hardliners who called the publication a form of 'moral terrorism' in the world's most populous Muslim nation.
Although, the pictures in this edition show less skin than early American issues, copies are already being circulated among Muslims and Christians alike.
However, there are several magazines like For Him Magazine and Maxim, which are already on sale in the country with more explicit photos.
High demand of the magazine has been reported, and newspapers and broadcasters dwelt at length on the Indonesian issue of the magazine.
Protesters hit the streets in towns across Indonesia when the magazine announced in January that it was planning a local version, but it remains to be seen whether demonstrations will start again after people have read it.
A hardliner group, the Islamic Defenders Front, has pledged to forcibly remove the magazines from the stands.
While a Muslim leader said the magazine posed more of a threat to Indonesia than "terrorism by al-Qaeda linked militants," who have killed more than 240 people in the country in recent years.
Playboy, which already has 17 international editions with content tailored to local tastes, has played down the protest threats.
Pornographic material, though illegal, is sold more or less openly at markets all over the country.
The magazine costs around $5, more than double the minimum daily wage in Jakarta. Yet, it is affordable to many middle- and upper-class city dwellers.
The first edition includes an interview with internationally renowned Indonesian author Pramoedya Ananta Toer, and articles on East Timor after its break from Jakarta-rule in 1999 and the development of Indonesian cartoons.
Comments
0 comment