Indonesia rejects abortion

Indonesia rejects abortion

The issue of abortion continues to draw attention and provoke public debate. Abortion deals with a fundamental matter, human lives. Even though Indonesia is carrying out a family planning program, it strongly rejects abortion as a family planning method.

With the advances in science and technology, abortion might be the most effective way to support a family planning program but it has provoked a long debate on whether abortion equals murder. Debates have been ongoing since the 1960s when population growth, particularly in Asian region, began to be of great concern. It was predicted that population growth would alarmingly outweigh economic growth. Therefore, the population must be checked in order to give chance for society to prosper.

-- Suara Pembaruan, Jakarta

The increase of abortion cases among young people is closely related to their more permissive sexual values. Permissiveness will not be found in a society which still regards marriage as sacred.

All types of sexual activities are constantly being flaunted in fashion, film and on television. Bearing this in mind, it might be worth intensifying sex education to arm the youngsters with the knowledge of what is safe and what is not.

-- Republika, Jakarta