House Urges Dedi Mulyadi to Review Vasectomy Policy Proposal

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Member of the DPR's (House of Representatives) Commission VIII in the Social Affairs Department, Selly Andriany Gantina, has urged the Governor of West Java, Dedi Mulyadi, to reconsider the proposal of making vasectomy a requirement for receiving social aid (bansos).

She stated that the policy regarding vasectomy should be reconsidered in consultation with other stakeholders, such as the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), to ensure that its implementation does not violate religious laws.

"We are aware that many recipients of social aid have many children, but the issue of vasectomy needs to be reassessed to determine whether it can be implemented as a requirement for receiving social aid," said Selly at the Parliament complex on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

She continued, stating that the regulations on family planning (KB), including vasectomy, are already stipulated in the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) Law.

She mentioned that the regulations have defined the criteria for individuals who want to undergo family planning or vasectomy, and it requires their voluntary consent, not coercion from others.

"So, receiving social aid does not automatically require vasectomy. It is not like that," said the PDIP politician.

She also stated that the Social Department will inquire with the Ministry of Social Affairs about the variables for social aid recipients, in accordance with the prevailing regulations.

Selly understands that regional leaders have their own criteria to determine the eligibility of social aid recipients. However, she requested that the regions align with the central government's policies on this matter.

"Regional leaders should not deviate from the regulations stipulated by the law," said Selly.

Meanwhile, Dedi Mulyadi proposed that vasectomy should be a requirement for receiving social aid for underprivileged communities in West Java.

He mentioned that individuals who are willing to comply with the policy will receive an incentive of Rp 500,000.

His rationale is that he is often asked for assistance to cover the costs of childbirth, which can reach Rp 25 million.

"The cost of giving birth is not insignificant, it can amount to Rp 25 million, Rp 15 million on average because it's mostly caesarean births, and this usually happens for the fourth or fifth child," he said after a coordination meeting at the Edelweis room, 5th floor of the Depok City Hall on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

The former Regent of Purwakarta continued, emphasizing that when someone gets married, they are responsible for the pregnancy, childbirth, and the education of their children.

"So, if one cannot afford the costs of childbirth, pregnancy, and education, then they should not rush to become parents," he said.

Therefore, Dedi expressed that by making vasectomy a requirement for receiving social aid, the birth rate and poverty levels can be controlled.

"Currently, those who tend to have many children are more likely to be in poverty," said the Partai Gerindra politician.

The Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council in West Java, Rahmat Syafei, asserted that in Islam, vasectomy is forbidden unless there are clear religious justifications, such as serious health threats.

He stated that this fatwa is in line with the decision of the Assembly of Ulama's Fatwa Commission at the IV Indonesian Fatwa Assembly, which was held at the Cipasung Islamic boarding school in Tasikmalaya in 2012.

"In essence, vasectomy is forbidden because it is a form of permanent sterilization. Islam does not allow absolute sterilization without justified religious reasons," said Rahmat when contacted on Thursday, May 1, 2025.

However, he continued, vasectomy is allowed only under certain conditions, such as the presence of serious health risks, no permanent implications, and does not impair reproductive functions.

"It's okay to provide incentives, but vasectomy must still meet the permitted religious conditions," he said.

Previously, Pangeran Khairul Saleh, a member of the DPR's Human Rights Commission, criticized this policy.

He believed that making vasectomy a requirement for receiving social aid is flawed and violates human rights principles and the constitutional rights of citizens.

"Personal and permanent medical procedures should not be linked to social aid. This violates human rights and humanity," said Pangeran in a written statement obtained by Tempo on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

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