Malnutrition can't be taken lightly

Malnutrition can't be taken lightly

As many as 317 infants under three years of age are reported to be malnourished in Bogor. Their condition is highly worrying.

If the condition of a city, which is located so near to Jakarta, is like that, how about other regions which are far from the center of attention?

After the onset of the monetary crisis, the poverty level has soared drastically in this country, and likewise the level of malnutrition.

Such an illustration provokes a feeling of outrage at the incidents of corruption. One of corruption cases currently in the public eye is the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) scam of Rp 40 billion in non-budgetary funds.

As the country is now lacking the necessary funds for health care, it is indeed difficult for the government to curb malnutrition. Yet, there are no other options. If we let these infants suffer malnutrition, we will have to bear the brunt of that in the future.

-- Kompas, Jakarta