JAKARTA - Member of Commission IX of the House of Representatives Arzeti Bilbina condemned the involvement of health workers (Nakes) who carried out the practice of trafficking in infants with adoption mode. Perpetrators who take advantage of health facilities (faskes) to commit crimes are punished severely.
"Faskes and health workers should not involve themselves in the conveniences so that couples outside of marriage do not make it easy to have babies. Health workers and health facilities involved in cases of infant trafficking under the guise of adoption must be given severe sanctions so that there is a deterrent effect," said Arzeti, Tuesday, May 16.
Based on the results of the Kompas Daily investigation, it was found that a number of infant trafficking practices have been carried out since the baby was in the womb. From the investigation, the involvement of health workers in the practice of infant trafficking under the guise of adoption is at least in the provinces of East Java, Banten, and DKI Jakarta.
One of the modes carried out is by way of the midwife persuading the mother who gave birth to her child outside of marriage. Then the doctor legalized the documents to find foster parents through an unofficial route.
The cost of purchasing newborns can reach tens of millions of rupiah which is used to replace the cost of childbirth and the management of birth certificates. Such practices include taking place in Probolinggo, East Java, where a clinic managed by a gynecologist is strongly suspected of receiving child adoption services.
In the same investigation, a similar practice also occurred at a midwife clinic in Cilincing, North Jakarta. There were reports of a mother who was indicated to be forced by the clinic to hand over her baby because she was unable to pay the delivery fee. The mother could not refuse the pressure of the midwife who worked at the clinic until she finally signed her son's adoption letter.
Arzeti encouraged the Government, especially the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), to closely monitor delivery services in all regions. Be it a private clinic or hospital so that there are no more cases of infant trafficking with adoption mode.
The DPR will not remain silent regarding this matter. We demand action from the Government and law enforcement. The crime is very systematic and is a network syndicate. Utilizing pregnancy events outside of marriage and the inability of people to pay for childbirth, is highly intolerable," said Arzeti.
To prospective parents who are waiting for the baby's presence, Arzeti appealed to follow the applicable rules if they want to take an adoption route. The same applies to women who give birth to children outside of marriage, and decide to hand over their children for adoption by others.
"There is no justification for selling babies, whatever the reason. If you really want to give up your child for adoption, use the right legal methods," he said.
The practice of infant trafficking is also known to occur due to socio-economic problems. Like because parents already have many children and are no longer able to support their children because they are hit by economic problems, so they decide to sell their children.
There are also many incidents of buying and selling babies because parents who want their children to be impatient follow the procedures for child adoption. For this reason, Commission IX, which is in charge of Health affairs, asked the Government to simplify and simplify the process in the adoption process stage.
In the process of child adoption, the Regional Government has prepared a Child Appointment Licensing Advisory Team (TP3A) which will conduct an assessment of prospective adopted parents.
For the safety and comfort of related parties, it is necessary to take various very rigid steps. But simplification needs to be considered so that illegal adoption practices do not proliferate further," said Arzeti.
"With the ease of child adoption procedures, we at the DPR hope that no more parents will adopt choosing illegal ways to get children. The government must really facilitate it," he added.
The problem of child appointment has not yet been taken seriously in Indonesia. Because it was reported that some local governments did not allocate enough budget to process the appointment of children so that the trial of the team considering licensing for child appointment (TIPA) could not be held. The TIPA trial itself is one of the stages of the process of appointing children through legal channels.
The House of Representatives Commission IX encourages the Government to be more serious in allocating the budget regarding the process of removing children. Because actually there are many married couples who are willing to adopt children but are hindered by administrative problems like this," said Arzeti.
Furthermore, Arzeti highlighted the existence of child trafficking practices through overseas syndicates. Because there are also several cases where infant trafficking is found abroad. Arzeti is also worried about the fate of the babies who are accommodated in inappropriate places by the child trafficking syndicate group.
"We have to take this problem seriously. The government must also ensure the fate of children who are not adopted. There must be safety guarantees for babies or children who are victims of trade by irresponsible parties," he said.
For information, the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) noted that cases of infant trafficking in the last three years have increased, although in 2022 there has been a decline. In 2020 there were 213 cases, in 2021 there were 406 cases and in 2022 there were 219 cases.
Meanwhile, the National Commission for Child Protection will unravel that in 2021 there will be 11 cases of child trafficking and an increase in 2022 with 21 cases.
Therefore, Arzeti asked for synergy from all stakeholders in fighting cases of infant trafficking. He hopes that with the cooperation and efforts of policy makers and contributions from the community, the practice of selling babies will not become more willing.
"By increasing awareness, reporting allegations, and collaborating with related institutions, the community can play a role in protecting children's rights and preventing the practice of infant trafficking," said Arzeti.
Meanwhile, for law enforcers, Arzeti requested that cases of infant trafficking under the guise of adoption be thoroughly investigated to its roots. He also reminded the Ministry of Health to cooperate with the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the police to carry out surveillance.
Authorities are also reminded to intensify socialization so that people are not afraid to report if they find indications of health workers or health facilities carrying out the practice of illegal child adoption. Arzeti said illegal adoption had violated Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection.
"I want to emphasize that infant trafficking is a serious crime, it needs serious legal steps and anticipation through the best supervision," he explained.
Coinciding with International Mother's Day which is celebrated every May 14, Arzeti invites all women in Indonesia to take the right way if they want to have children. He understands the difficulty of waiting for parents who are waiting for their children, including for women who are pregnant outside of marriage.
But illegal adoption is wrong. As a woman and mother, I understand the severity of these problems. I understand the pain of waiting for the presence of a baby. I also empathize with women who are pregnant outside of marriage. Although wrong, it must not be easy for them," said Arzeti.
"But believe me, there are still solutions beyond child sales. There are various services from the Government and community organizations that are willing to assist and help provide solutions in the right way," concluded the mother of three.
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