People's Consultative Assembly Lauds New Government Regulation Child Protection

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The People's Consultative Assembly Deputy Chairman Hidayat Nur Wahid has lauded the issuance of Government Regulation No. 1 of 2016, which is the second amendment of Law No. 23 of 2002 on Child Protection.

"The nation is in a state of emergency due to an increase in sexual violence against children, so punishment should be awarded to have deterrent effects on the perpetrators," he emphasized here, Friday.

The public has also demanded to mete out the most stringent punishment as cases of sexual violence against children are becoming rampant, he pointed out.

The politician from the Justice and Prosperous Party particularly praised the increase in punishment on child predators, in additional to chip implants, fines, chemical castration, and publishing the identities of criminals.

The public should also lend moral support to the prosecutors and judges to impose severe punishment on sexual offenders, he emphasized.

Wahid also called on the regional administrations to protect their inhabitants, particularly children, from sexual offenses, by imposing a ban on the use of pornography, alcohol, and illicit drugs, among other factors, that could trigger sex crimes, he remarked.

"The role of families is crucial as a harmonious family will instill a loving culture among its members. This could prevent a family member from becoming an offender against children, or becoming a victim," he affirmed.

Wahid called on all stakeholders, including the media, to help strengthen the family institution. (WDY)