DPR Criticism Of Bisexual Superman: Breaking The Norms To Damage The Morals Of Indonesian Children

JAKARTA - The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) strongly criticized the latest DC comics featuring Superman as a bisexual. In particular, members of the council are in charge of broadcasting and religion issues.

The parliament also asked the government to ban the circulation and even block websites related to the comics.

Member of Commission I of the DPR RI from the Democratic Faction, Rizki Aulia Rahman Natakusumah, said that comics are one of the modern media that also influence the culture and behavior of the community, especially young people.

"So when there are foreign comics that carry stories that intersect with the norms that live in Indonesian society, the reasoning of the current generation of readers must be critical," Rizki said to reporters, Thursday, October 14.

According to him, it is common knowledge that DC's creativity in creating hero figures has become a benchmark for the world's popular comic industry. But on the other hand, he said, Indonesia itself is actually also rich in legendary heroic culture that is cool to be the material for making comics.

''It just needs a little polish and an interesting narration so that comics made in Indonesia can be enjoyed by all comic fans in the world. So this is a challenge for Indonesian comic creators to be able to learn from DC in creating stories that are acceptable to readers, without sacrificing a long history of local stories,'' explained Rizki.

In the case of the emergence of fictional characters who have characteristics that are not in accordance with local norms, Rizki questioned the readiness of Indonesian readers.

''Is the story acceptable to the people who already have their own character of belief? We believe that Indonesian readers have an independent censorship filter about the objects of reading that they deserve to consume,'' said Rizki.

He emphasized that the spectrum of creativity is also very wide so there is no need to clash creativity and societal norms.

''Why should we crash creativity and societal norms? Shouldn't the flexible character of creativity continue to grow in the corridor of social manners and politeness?'' Rizki asked.

Therefore, the member of the commission in charge of broadcasting issues also invites all parties to look at this issue objectively and proportionally.

''Let's adapt the positive lessons and manage the negative implications of this phenomenon. The government must also be realistic, if the supply of comics can enter Indonesia, then there must be a large enough demand from the market in this country," added the legislator from the Banten 1 electoral district.

"What can the government do if this happens? This incident can be a moment to review how solid and relevant the public censorship system is in Indonesia so that the bad impact of comics like this can be controlled," concluded Rizki Aulia Rahman.

Religious Commission: DC Commission Ruined Nation's Morals

The chairman of Commission VIII of the DPR RI, Yandri Susanto, also firmly rejected the distribution of this DC comic because it would damage the nation's morale.

"The existence of a comic featuring a bisexual figure is clearly contrary to Pancasila and will clearly damage the nation's morale," said Yandri in Jakarta, Friday, October 16.

The deputy chairman of PAN Party added that as a popular fictional character, Superman with a bisexual version could certainly be dangerous to the younger generation, especially children.

"We must save our next generation, especially children. Of course, this will have a negative impact on the education of the nation's children. Moreover, Superman is a popular character from time to time. Do not let Indonesian children be influenced by a culture that is contrary to the norms in our society," he said.

Seeing the negative potential of the comic, Yandri admitted that he had conveyed to the government to immediately stop the circulation of the comic

"So far I have proposed that the government issue a circular prohibition and block websites related to this comic. Hopefully, the government will immediately take action regarding the possibility of distributing this Superman comic either through books or via the internet," he said.

In addition, said Yandri, Superman comics Bisexuality is not in accordance with Pancasila values, he added, adding that the comics are also not in accordance with Indonesian customs and culture.

"Yes, it must be prohibited not in accordance with Pancasila, especially the first precepts and cultural customs that exist in Indonesia," he explained.

Once again, he emphasized that the comics to be released had a negative impact on children. "Yes, it definitely has a negative impact, so it should be banned," he said.

The Vice-Chairman of Commission VIII, Ace Hasan Syadzily, said that the Superman Bisexual comic was banned for children. Ace said the comics could affect children's sexual behavior.

"It should be studied to limit the distribution of Superman comics that contain bisexual elements. There must be a ban for children or someone who is underage," said Ace when contacted separately.

"Therefore, the Government should be very careful to ensure that this comic does not become the reading consumption of children who do not have sufficient literacy for sex education," he continued.

New Character

Previously, DC Comics announced the introduction of a new character, Jon Kent, who is Superman's son. DC emphasized that Jon Kent was in a relationship with a journalist named Jay Nakamura.

Superman, who has just been declared bisexual, and this comic will be officially published on November 9 in the United States and will not be published in Indonesia.

DC Comics announced the emergence of Superman as a bisexual man, on Monday, October 11, to coincide with National Coming Out Day, the annual LGBT awareness day that began in the US.