Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – Lawmakers are asking questions over the anti-pornography task force recently established by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, suspecting it may be a tool to distract the public from the fuel price hike plan.

"The task force is unnecessary because there are more important things that need our attention, the need to eradicate corruption for example," House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Pramono Anung told reporters on Tuesday. "The establishment of such a task force is a waste of time and will lead to other problems," he added.

Mahfud Siddiq, a lawmaker on the House's Commission I overseeing defense and foreign affairs, said that he hoped the public would remain absolutely focused on the ongoing debates over the government's plans to raise fuel prices.

"We welcome the task force as an effort to fight against pornography. But, we hope that this is not merely a tool to distract the public's attention from their objections to the fuel price hike plan. The President and members of the task force must prove that their intentions are sincere by, for instance, reducing the downloading of pornographic content nationwide," Mahfud from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) said.

In an attempt to combat pornography, the President has formed a task force whose main duty is to enhance coordination among state bodies in their efforts to tackle and prevent pornography distribution, which continues to be rampant across the archipelago.

People's Welfare Coordinating Minister Agung Laksono has been appointed to lead the task force, while Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali will be serving as the day-to-day leader.

Members of the task force include Communications and Information Technology Minister Tifatul Sembiring and Law and Human Rights Minister Amir Syamsuddin. (swd)