First Lady asks for family planning overhaul

JAKARTA: First Lady Ani Yu-dhoyono on Sunday called for the government to revitalize the family planning programs that have been in decline since more autonomous regional administrations give it less priority.

Ani said the family planning program would undoubtedly have a positive impact on the people's and country's welfare in the long run.

"I hope every family pays serious attention to the need to have less children because the more children they have, the less attention parents give to their children," she said as quoted by kompas.com.

She added that although the latest census had not yet released official figures, she was certain the population growth rate remained high in Indonesia.

Indonesia had a lot of success in slowing the birth rate under Suharto. However, family planning has received less attention from his successors. - JP