Would-be parent adobt illegally

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