Would-be parent adobt illegally
Evi Mariani, Jakarta
The official procedure to adopt a child is marked by complexity, thus, to avoid delays or possible disappointment, some people make the decision to "buy" a baby from an illegal foundation or maternity clinic.
"Since it is an illegal practice, we don't have data on the number of babies sold every month. We only know that the number is quite high," Afrinaldi, head of the Jakarta Social Agency's sub-directorate for children's affairs, told The Jakarta Post recently.
"The city administration will soon establish a forum to monitor maternity clinics to prevent them from selling babies without governmental consent," he added.
The adoption process is regulated by Ministerial Decree No. 13/1993.
"The lengthy (adoption) process is important because we want to protect our children. We want to make sure that they are treated well by their adoptive parents," Afrinaldi said.
"However, the government may revise the ministerial decree in the near future to respond to complaints about the complex procedure."
The procedure to adopt an Indonesian baby is longer for foreigners.
Some Indonesians, however, still decide to illegally adopt a child.
"I acquired my two children by adoption from a foundation in Bekasi," a man, who requested anonymity, told the Post.
"For my second child, I gave the foundation Rp 6 million (US$638) to cover the costs of looking after the baby while she was still there."
The man said he had discussed the issue with his wife, and they had both decided that the legal adoption procedure was too long.
He admitted to bribing some administration officials to obtain the children's birth certificates.
Meanwhile, dozens of babies are waiting to be adopted at the social agency's official partner, the Sayap Ibu Foundation, on Jl. Barito, South Jakarta. Their ages range from newborn to six years old.
Hadi, the foundation's caretaker, who has worked there for 25 years, said children who are more than six years old are usually transferred to other foundations that take care of older children.
"Currently, we have an eight-year-old girl staying here because she has suffered hydrocephalus since she was born," he said.
There are 43 children staying at the foundation's dormitory. Twelve of them are in dire need of medical treatment for illnesses, including hydrocephalus, or mental health problems.
Hadi said that most babies came to the foundation from hospitals as their birth mothers were unable to take care of them.
Months ago, a baby boy was left outside the foundation late at night. He cried out, waking the nurses, but when they reached the baby nobody was around.
Hadi added that a month ago Sayap Ibu had also received a baby boy who was left at a garbage dump in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta.
Meanwhile, many babies are also being trafficked abroad.
Recently, the police uncovered a syndicate that had sold at least four babies to Singaporeans. One of the babies, a girl, was returned by her "adoptive parents" to Jakarta because a Singapore hospital diagnosed the baby as HIV positive. The baby girl is now being taken care of by the Pelita Ilmu Foundation.
One more Indonesian baby, also a girl, is presently in Singapore in a house belonging to suspect Tan, who is being detained by the city police.
The police are unable to locate S, the woman who posed as the mother of the baby returned to Jakarta, as the information on her family card is incorrect.
The police have questioned Alip Iman Karso, an immigration official, as a witness, but are yet to detain anyone from immigration as a suspect.
Adoption requirements for foreign parent candidates:
1. Have lived in Indonesia for at least two consecutive years.
2. Aged between 30 and 45 years old.
3. Have been married for at least five years. Those married for less than five years must submit a medical certificate stating that they are unable to conceive a child.
4. Have only one biological or adopted child prior to the adoption.
5. Must submit a letter of consent to the adoption from the government of the parent candidates' country.
6. Must submit a document from the candidates' country that states that they are both in good health and do not exhibit behavioral problems.
7. Must submit a document from the candidates' country that states that their financial situation is conducive to raising a child.
8. The adoptee should be adopted from a foundation that is an official partner of the city social agency or the Ministry of Social Affairs.
9. The child should be no more than five years old.
10. Parent candidates and the child must go through a six month adjustment period, during which the candidates regularly visit the adoptee at the foundation.
Source: Ministry of Social Affairs