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Bali governor candidate wants to reform family planning program
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Two children is enough: Two children pass in front of a family planning program campaign mural at Kampung KB in Pucang Sawit, Surakarta, Central Java, on Nov.14. (Antara/Maulana Surya)
B
ali gubernatorial candidate I Wayan Koster has said the national family planning program needs to be reformed to make it more suited to the culture of the province.
He said Indonesia’s family planning program, which encourages married couple to have only two children, defied the customs and traditions of Balinese society, which includes naming children according to the order in which they are born.
“If the current program is followed, there will be no more Nyomans, Komangs or Ketuts in the future,” Koster said, as quoted by Antara, after meeting with Banjar Bengkel residents in Antiga village, Karangasem, on Wednesday.
According to Balinese culture, each family ideally consists of four children, with the first child named Gede, Putu or Wayan while Made or Kadek is the name given to the second child. Meanwhile, the third child will be called either Nyoman or Komang and the fourth child will be named Ketut.
Koster and his running mate, Tjok Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati, have claimed they were aiming to build a better Bali by promoting the richness of the island's nature, culture and people through a program called Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali.
“Having more children will not lead families into poverty. We will still help them pay for their schooling, healthcare and housing needs. There is nothing to worry about,” said Koster, who is also a House of Representatives member. (ebf)
