KDM: Forcing Debt for Wedding or Circumcision Ceremonies Increases Poverty Rates

West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi has called on all low-income residents of the province to refrain from borrowing money to host large-scale wedding or circumcision ceremonies. He plans to issue a circular that serves as an advisory to the public.

The circular has not yet been drafted, but if issued, it would be in the nature of an invitation or exhortation for low-income communities to conduct circumcision or wedding events without incurring high costs that ultimately become a debt burden,” he stated recently.

He admitted to frequently encountering cases in various locations where people force themselves to hold grand circumcision and wedding parties, resulting in substantial debts. Dedi described this situation as a problem that impacts and increases poverty rates.

“We know that in many places, people force themselves to carry out circumcisions or weddings that lead to large debts, thus becoming a problem and adding to the poverty figures,” he said.