The Clear Message

Balinese has always find a way to express their aspirations through their arts. Their passionate rejection toward the controversial Anti Pornography Bill has became an integral element of numerous Ogoh-ogoh (papier-mache giant dolls) during Wednesday night's Ngerupuk parade. Some Ogoh-ogoh carried placards "Reject Anti Pornography Bill"(left) while the other voiced the rejection in a more sublime way, like the one on the top of this page. It depicts Suratma, the chief guardian of the gate into the after-life realms of Heaven and Hell. It is said that Suratma carries a palmyra book which contains the names and the times of death of each and every human beings. The palmyra book on the Ogoh-ogoh reveals the names of two ardent supporters of the bill, former "hot" movie star Inneke Koesherawati and dangdut singer cum moslem preacher Rhoma Irama, and the names of two well-known terrorists, the late Azahari and Nordin Moh Top. Azahari name had been ticked with red ink to signify that he had entered the after-life while the rest apaparently are still waiting for their turns.