20-millionth baby born next month

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia, the fourth most populated country in the world, will have its 200-millionth citizen on Feb. 4 this year, and President Soeharto is willing to name the baby, according to State Minister of Population Haryono Suyono.

Speaking to reporters after accompanying State Minister of National Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita to the meeting with Soeharto here yesterday, Haryono said 8,182 babies are expected to be born across the country on that day.

To be picked as Indonesia's 200-millionth baby and have the honor of being named by Soeharto on Feb.5, the baby must be born to a legally married couple according to Haryono, also chairman of the National Family Planning Board.

The baby must be a first child, the mother must be at least 20, and the child must not be born through Caesarean section.

The 200-million figure was projected by the board in association with the Central Bureau of Statistics and other institutions in Indonesia, and was adjusted to the low and medium estimates of the United Nations.

Currently, each family has an average 2.6 children. The National Family Planning Board campaigns have succeeded in lowering the population growth rate from 5.6 percent during the First Five-Year Development Plan to 1.6 percent by the end of the Fifth Five-Year Development Plan. (13)