PLN blamed for baby boom

MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: Irritated by the uncontrolled birth rate in her province, head of West Nusa Tenggara Family Welfare Movement Siti Nur'aini Harun Al Rasyid blamed state electricity company PLN.

Speaking to movement activists in East Lombok regency on Monday evening, Siti said frequent electricity blackouts in the evening had contributed to a rise in the number of births.

"Perhaps because the blackouts stop married couples from engaging in other activities, they prefer to make babies," Siti, the wife of Governor Harun Al Rasyid, joked.

However, she looked serious when she called on the electricity company to improve its services to the public.

"The blackouts have not only disrupted the family planning program, but school children's learning activities at home," Siti said, adding that she would raise the matter with the local government. -- Antara