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Japanese porn star Maria Ozawa, better known as Miyabi, will not be arriving in Indonesia anytime soon.

The decision to cancel her arrival was reached during a meeting held in Jakarta on Wednesday between Maxima Productions and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Metro TV reported that Maxima Productions had finally agreed to abandon its plan to import the starlet to appear in a locally produced movie to avoid controversy. The production house had previously denied rumors that it was considering pulling the plug on the project, saying that it would only “delay and reschedule” Miyabi’s visit, following protests.

Miyabi had been scheduled to arrive in Jakarta on Wednesday to start filming for the comedy movie titled “Menculik Miyabi” (“Kidnapping Miyabi”). However, the plan triggered protests from conservative groups.

Last week, the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) staged a demonstration in front of the production house’s office. Communications Minister Muhammad Nuh also suggested the production house should consider public sentiments and think about replacing Miyabi with a “less controversial actress.”

The controversy surrounding her arrival has reportedly sparked an increase in demand for pirated DVD’s copies of the porn star’s movies.

The Jakarta Police on Wednesday launched a crackdown on producers and distributors of pirated pornography and other CDs, VCDs and DVDs.

Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Chrysnanda Dwi Laksana said that five suspects were arrested at five different locations: Jelambar Fajar, Penjaringan and Jalan Ancol Selatan in North Jakarta; Jalan Latumenten, Jalan Lada and Jalan Pinangsia, Taman Sari in West Jakarta; and Jalan Kemayoran Barat in Central Jakarta.

Chrysnanda said that the police had seized five duplicators, 64,828 VCDs and DVDs — most of them pornographic — 3,400 recordable DVDs, 101 film master copies, four sets of stamps, a personal computer, a printer and an L300 minibus. “The suspects will be charged with violating Article 72, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the 2002 Law on Copyrights, Article 40 of the 1992 Law on Film, and Article 282 of the Criminal Code on crimes against decency,” he said.

Despite the intensive raid against piracy and sale of pornography, the illicit practice still enjoys brisk business. In Glodok, for instance, many vendors openly display and trade pornographic VCDs and DVDs, as well as pirated music CDs.



Jakarta Globe