"I want to this to be [classified as] an extraordinary crime so that handling it requires extraordinary measures, including [chemical] castration," Jokowi said during a meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The President stressed the need to intensify coordination between relevant institutions, including the National Police and the Attorney General’s Office, to address the issue.

"The number of cases is increasing. I demand that the Office of the Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister coordinate [law enforcement institutions] to deter offenders and potential offenders from committing this crime," he said.

Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung said the government would prompt the House of Representatives to give high priority to the sexual abuse bill to ensure harsher punishment even though the relevant House commissions said previously that they were busy with other, more urgent bills.

The issue came in the spotlight following the gang rape and murder of a 14-year old student in a remote village in Bengkulu in early April by 14 young men and more recently a similar report from Manado.

The House is being urged to deliberate the bill, which has been included in the National Legislation Program for this year, in the next sitting session, Pramono added. (bbn)

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