Jakarta – Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was strongly criticized Tuesday after signing a tough anti-pornography law that opponents have said threatens national unity.

The law, backed by Islamic parties in the capital city of Jakarta, criminalizes all works and "bodily movements" deemed obscene and capable of violating public morality, and comes with heavy penalties.

It prompted protests across Indonesia, with critics saying it could threaten art and traditional culture, ranging from temple statues on Bali island to traditional attire worn by tribesmen in Christian and animist Papua province. The president's signing of the law late last month was made public Tuesday.

"Yudhoyono could have chosen not to sign it because there are still several provinces which strongly oppose the law," said lawmaker Eva Sundari of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, or PDIP.

"The opposing provinces, such as Papua, Bali, Yogyakarta, North Sulawesi and East Nusa Tenggara, say that the law threatened their culture and national unity."

I Gusti Ngurah Harta, head of the Bali People's Component, an organization of local intellectuals and artists, said, "We are disappointed that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has signed the law. We will not vote for him in the elections next year."

"We don't need a porn law. Instead, we need reinforcement of existing laws to protect children against porn acts, remove vulgar writings in the media or porn in film," Harta added.

Bantarto Bandoro, a political analyst from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said, "Yudhoyono's decision could shake the foundation of his presidential campaign for next year's election."

However, the president's special staff for legal affairs, Denny Indrayana, said, "The president told me that he had carefully read the latest version of the law. He commented that it was appropriate."

The law contains provisions for between six months and 12 years' jail for producers and distributors of pornography, and up to four years in prison for downloading pornography.

Muslims make up roughly 90% of Indonesia's population of 234 million, which also contains sizable Christian, Hindu, Buddhist and Confucian minorities.