Indonesians come of age at 21

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesians stop being children when they turn 21, at least that is what the law says.

Health Minister Sujudi said many laws still consider people under 21 years as children and these have got to be reviewed.

"Many people who are classified as children in Indonesia already have their own offspring," Sujudi told reporters yesterday after meeting with Vice President Try Sutrisno to report about his preparation for the National Children's Day which falls on Saturday.

He said Indonesia needs to review some of the legislations dealing with children, especially to ensure that they get protection and that their rights are respected.

Children have rights too, such as the right to play, the right to attend school, the right to study, the right to good health and many other things. "So we have to keep reminding parents that they have obligations to their children."

He said the fact that many children, either voluntarily or involuntarily, are working to help supplement their parent's income could be considered as a violation of their rights.

The minister also acknowledged that the government has an obligation to provide the infrastructure and facilities required to ensure that these rights are respected.

Sujudi heads this year's committee of the National Children's Day, which will be celebrated on Saturday at the Presidential Palace when President Soeharto entertains some 400 underprivileged children.

This year's Children's Day takes the theme of children's health. (emb)