JAKARTA, Indonesia  A Japanese porn star has canceled a trip to Indonesia to act in a no-nudity comedy after outraged religious groups opposed her visit “even if she will not be nude.†Maria Ozawa, popularly known as Miyabi, 23, was "sad and disappointed to hear so many people opposed her visit," the film’s producerssaid.
The film’s producers Maxima Pictures pulled plans to film Kidnapping Miyabi in Indonesia and is scouting for an alternative location, said executive producer Yoen K. He said discussions were ongoing with religious organizations, but added it was wrong to prevent someone from acting in a film, rather than judging the final product.
One of the most vocal opponents has been the influential Indonesian Ullema Council, a board of Muslim clerics, which has consistently opposed Ozawa's visit over fears it will damage the country's image. "Come or not, we continue to reject her," said Ma'ruf Amin, a prominent member of the council, known by its Indonesian acronym MUI. "We will continue to reject her even if she will not be nude."
The cancellation comes weeks after Indonesia's parliament passed a law ordering filmmakers to uphold "religious, ethical, moral, and national cultural values." Movie makers are concerned a new censorship body outlined in the law will bring back the days of extreme censorship under the Suharto dictatorship, which was toppled more than a decade ago.
Even though Indonesia is a secular democracy with widespread freedom of speech, films are still edited and banned if they are deemed by the government to be too political or sexually explicit. Pornography is illegal.
Not everyone agreed with the clerics that keeping out porn stars is a good thing. Around a dozen Muslim students staged a rally in the capital of South Sulawesi, Makassar, on Wednesday, saying Ozawa's human rights were being violated.
"As long as she will not appear in any porn action, there is no reason to ban her visit to Indonesia," said Ubaidi, a protester at the Indonesian Muslim University campus.
"Everyone has the right to come and earn a living in Indonesia," he said. "Just take care of your own morals, don't intervene in Miyabi's business."
Source also says that they are looking for a country that resembles Indonesia.. which is The Philippines.
