Letter: Is it really the rule?

Indonesia often surprises me - and not always positively - with strange, complicated and inefficient procedures, processes and rules. But the one I came across recently beats them all, one that I regard as completely ridiculous! Since I can hardly believe it is really a legal rule, I hope The Jakarta Post's journalists or readers can inform me and others - and do all things possible to stop that ridiculous rule if it indeed is valid.

A young friend of my family would marry. Very low-key, as he was forced to marry. His girlfriend is pregnant. Just today (one day before the ceremony) he came to beg for money, because the religious office informed his girlfriend that due to the pregnancy they wanted Rp 700,000 extra from the couple, on top of the regular administrative marriage fee of Rp 150,000.

If true, is that a national rule? And what is the justification for it? Should "sinners" be punished? Even when they usually are already in huge mental, social and financial trouble?

What can the couple do to avoid this "punishment"?

William
Yogyakarta