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Sinar Daily
08-05-2025
- Health
- Sinar Daily
Governor proposes sterilising poor men to cut birth rates
JAKARTA – A proposal by West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi to make vasectomy a condition for social aid to poor men has drawn widespread criticism from Indonesians. The measure, proposed on April 29, aims to control birth rates among impoverished families as a long-term strategy to reduce extreme poverty in the region. "If someone cannot afford pregnancy and their child's education, it's better not to rush into parenthood,' he was reported as saying by local media. However, his statement ignited heated debates involving religious leaders, community figures, academics, human rights organisations and ordinary citizens, who deemed the proposal excessive, inhumane and a violation of basic rights. A vasectomy is a permanent male contraceptive method involving a minor surgical procedure to cut and seal the tubes carrying sperm from the testes. This procedure prevents sperm from mixing with semen, effectively preventing pregnancy. While it does not impair male sexual function, it is typically irreversible. Dedi's proposal offers men who agree to undergo a vasectomy an incentive of IDR 500,000 (RM 130). Even more controversially, other aid programmes, such as food subsidies, healthcare, scholarships and housing, would also be tied to the willingness of men to undergo the procedure. "I want men to take more responsibility in family planning, not just leave it to women,' Dedi asserted. Indonesia's Social Affairs Minister, Saifullah Yusuf, warned against arbitrarily linking any form of assistance to medical conditions that involve bodily autonomy. 'When it comes to bodily rights and health, every aspect must be carefully considered. This is not a simple matter,' he said. Meanwhile, Community Empowerment Coordinating Minister Muhaimin Iskandar emphasised that such conditions contradict existing regulations. 'No legal provision allows states to impose such conditions on social assistance,' he said. The West Java branch of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) declared that vasectomy is forbidden in Islam if performed permanently without urgent medical necessity. 'Permanent sterilisation procedures like vasectomy are not allowed unless in cases of medical emergencies. This is not about money but about Islamic law,' stated its chairman, KH Rahmat Syafei. The Indonesian Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) condemned the proposal, calling it a violation of individual bodily rights and undue pressure on the poor. 'The human body is an individual's absolute right. Tying aid to medical procedures is a form of coercion,' said its chairperson, Atnike Nova Sigiro. Amid mounting criticism, Dedi Mulyadi clarified that his proposal was not coercive but rather an incentive-based voluntary programme. 'I'm merely encouraging, not forcing. If they don't want to, there's no compulsion. But we must think about the long-term future of impoverished families,' he explained. In a public opinion poll conducted by local media, most Indonesians viewed the proposal as inhumane, degrading to the poor and inappropriate for a diverse, multicultural and religious country like Indonesia. Many social media users also accused Dedi of exploiting the sensitive issue as 'cheap political capital' ahead of the upcoming elections. – AGENCY
Malay Mail
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Indonesian governor's vasectomy-for-welfare proposal sparks intense debate
JAKARTA, May 8 — A proposal by a regional governor in Indonesia to make vasectomy a condition for men to receive welfare benefits has sparked widespread criticism in Indonesia, according to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP). West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi reportedly suggested sterilisation in exchange for access to social welfare, electricity connections, food aid, scholarships and public housing. In an April 28 speech, Dedi questioned why poor families often have many children, saying, 'Stop having children if you can't provide for them well,' the SCMP reported. 'I don't know why poor families generally have many children, while rich people have difficulty having children, even after paying two billion rupiah (RM517,900) for IVF,' he was quoted as saying. Religious leaders swiftly condemned the idea, with Cholil Nafis of the Indonesian Ulema Council reportedly saying Islam forbids permanent sterilisation and that poverty should be addressed through employment opportunities. Indonesia's Social Minister Saifullah Yusuf also rejected the proposal, calling it 'not relevant' and impractical, according to the report. Rights advocates and academics reportedly described the plan as coercive and discriminatory, with Singapore-based scholar Sulfikar Amir calling it a 'blatant form of body politics' and warning that it wrongly assumes poverty results from large families rather than structural economic inequality. Public reactions online were mixed, with some supporting the proposal and others labelling it 'fascist,' the SCMP noted. The debate comes amid new World Bank data showing that 60.3 per cent of Indonesians — or roughly 171 million people — live below the updated poverty threshold of US$6.85 (RM29.23) per person per day. This figure contrasts sharply with Indonesia's official poverty rate of 8.57 per cent, based on older national standards.
New Straits Times
03-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Indonesia mulling proposal to make poor people 'exchange manhood' for govt aid
KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesia's Social Affairs Ministry is mulling a controversial proposal to make vasectomy a family planning requirement for those seeking government assistance and scholarships. Vasectomy is a sterilisation procedure for males, in which the tubes that carry sperm out from the testicles are cut. The condition was suggested by West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi. Vasectomy is considered a simple and permanent form of birth control. Although it can be reversed in some cases, the success is not guaranteed. Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf said on Wednesday that while the proposal had merit, the government still needed time to study the implementation in detail. "Integrating family planning into government assistance programmes is a good idea, but we need more time to examine the proposal thoroughly. "There is a formal process for distributing government aid, and we cannot make changes on a whim," he said. Dedi was previously reported to have proposed the idea to Saifullah, stating that many poor families continued to have numerous children despite struggling to meet their basic needs. He said limiting the number of children among low-income citizens would help ensure that government assistance was distributed equitably, rather than being disproportionately consumed by large families. "We want all forms of government assistance to be tied to family planning. If your children want to apply for a government-funded scholarship, you must practise contraception. "To qualify for housing repair subsidies, you must also be engaged in family planning if you are of reproductive age," he said. Dedi argued that vasectomy was an ideal form of contraception for poor families, stressing that "men should also bear responsibility for reproduction", and noting that women sometimes forgot to take their contraceptive pills. He also announced that men who agreed to undergo a vasectomy would receive an incentive of 500,000 rupiah (RM130) per person. However, the proposal had sparked backlash. Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights deputy head Abdul Haris criticised the proposal, calling it discriminatory and a potential violation of human rights. "If enforced, it could constitute a breach of human rights. Vasectomy should be a voluntary decision," he said. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) declared that the measure was forbidden (haram) in Islam if the intention was to permanently sterilise a man. MUI Fatwa Committee head Asrorun Niam Sholeh said it was only permissible under strict conditions, such as when a person had a specific medical condition. "Even then, there must be assurance that the man can regain his reproductive ability. Since current vasectomy reversal procedures cannot guarantee full restoration of reproductive function, the procedure remains haram," said Asrorun. Success rates for vasectomy reversals could vary, with studies suggesting sperm returning to the semen in 70 to 90 per cent of cases. But the outcome could be influenced by factors such as the time elapsed since the procedure, scarring and the surgeon's expertise.
Arab News
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Indonesia launches campaign to raise $200 million aid for Palestine
JAKARTA: Indonesia on Wednesday launched a campaign to raise $200 million in humanitarian aid for Palestinians, as Jakarta moves to support the rebuilding of Gaza. A staunch supporter of Palestine, the Indonesian government and people see Palestinian statehood as being mandated by their own constitution, which calls for the abolition of colonialism. The campaign, 'Indonesia for Palestine: Solidarity, Real Action and New Hope,' is being organized by the Indonesian Ulema Council, Indonesia's National Alms Agency and other NGOs with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 'We are starting this campaign with the initial target of $200 million,' Deputy Foreign Minister Anis Matta said at the campaign launch in Jakarta. 'This is not just a mandate from our constitution and a religious obligation, but also a humanitarian emergency … We want to turn this campaign into a movement of humanitarian diplomacy.' The campaign comprises various programs, he said. 'There's an ongoing emergency program during the ceasefire period, but there will also be a program dedicated to the reconstruction of Gaza; we want to offer our assistance in the rebuilding of Gaza.' Since Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023, its military has killed more than 48,300 people and injured more than 111,000. The real death toll is feared to be much higher, with estimates published by the medical journal The Lancet indicating that as of July, it could be more than 186,000. The Indonesian government has sent several consignments of humanitarian assistance for Gaza since 2023, while various NGOs in the country have also raised funds and coordinated support — including sending medical volunteers — for Gaza. Last year, Jakarta doubled its annual contribution to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees to $1.2 million, with the government pledging to contribute more. 'This joint campaign is real evidence of Indonesia's solidarity for Palestine,' said Abdul Kadir Jailani, director general for Asian, Pacific and African Affairs at the foreign affairs ministry. 'We all have a responsibility to support our brothers and sisters in Palestine.'
