MoSA Supports Batam City Government to Fulfill Children's Civil Rights

BATAM (January 24, 2024) - Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini symbolically handed over Birth Certificates and Child Identity Cards (KIA) for foster children live at Child Social Welfare Institutions (LKSA) in Batam City.

A total of 122 children from 19 LKSA in Batam City finally got their rights as citizens through the issuance of Birth Certificates and KIA which were handed over at the Batam District Attorney's Office yard.

"What we are doing is a form of justice for all those born and living in Indonesia," said Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini.

The birth certificates and KIAs were issued by the Batam City Population and Civil Registration Office after cooperating with various parties. The issuance of this child identity document is also proof that the state is present to fulfill basic rights for the sustainability of children's lives in the future, both for school, social services, and work.

"From a legal perspective, ownership of a Birth Certificate and Child Identity Card is also very important as legality of legal administration and legal protection for the owner," explained Rudi Margono, Chief Prosecutor of Riau Islands.

Besides, ownership of identity is accountability for civil registration data and to record the distribution of children throughout Indonesia.

In addition to handing over identities, the Minister of Social Affairs also handed over 122 nutrition packages worth Rp.14,000,000, -.

Chairman of LKSA Sinar Batam Suarman Lase as well as Secretary of Forda LKSA Batam City greatly appreciated the breakthrough which is very beneficial for children to reach education services, health services, and other social services.

"Many friends are complaining when issuing the identity of these foster children, but now after the cooperation of all parties and after all the files are completed in less than 2 weeks everything is finished," explained Suarman Lase.

On the same occasion, the Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs gave a certificate of appreciation as a form of highest appreciation to the Head of the Riau Islands High Prosecutor's Office, Batam District Attorney's Office, Batam City Social Service, and Batam City Population and Civil Registration Office.

For information, since 2021, the Ministry of Social Affairs has collaborated with the Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration of the Ministry of Home Affairs to register and record NIK in several locations of the Suku Anak Dalam Remote Indigenous Community in Jambi Province.