JAKARTA (January 29, 2023) – Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Affairs Harry Hikmat asked the Child Welfare Institution (LKSA) to expand the role of handling children outside the institution when opening the National Leadership Meeting (Rapimnas) of the LKSA National Forum in Jakarta, Saturday (28/1).

"Reframing LKSA to expand roles outside the institution, such as responding to developments in children's problems and involve in strengthening child protection in the community," Harry said when giving a speech.

In his presentation, Harry said that the problem of child vulnerability is a serious phenomenon or issue facing Indonesia. "Every day, we see the news, that there are children who experience sexual violence, live in extreme poverty, are seriously ill, and much more," he said while showing news clips of violence against children in the mass media.

Indonesian children experience vulnerabilities, starting from the economic side, such as children being forced to work, child violence, child marriage, bullying, including cyberbullying, child neglect, and other vulnerabilities. In 2022, Children's Social Rehabilitation Companions will handle at least 14,056 cases involving children. Seeing the large number, Harry urged LKSA to get involved in dealing with this problem.

In addition, Harry said that LKSA is a concrete manifestation of the community's role in handling children in the community. LKSA is a government partner in glorifying and providing child protection. "At the start of its existence, LKSA was committed to providing attention to orphans throughout Indonesia, as well as neglected children and those with special needs," he said.

For this reason, strengthening the LKSA organization to be more visionary is very important and in line with the LKSA National Rapimnas which carries the theme "National Rapimnas Creates Professional and Independent Child Social Welfare Services". According to Harry, cross-sectoral cooperation and development of Human Resources (HR) is the key to a strong organization.

Furthermore, Harry urged Fornas LKSA to strengthen networks with governments such as the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Health. Thus, LKSAs throughout Indonesia can share experiences and good practices in handling children through Fornas.

Harry also urged LKSA to play a role in the policy formulation process, such as in the discussion of the Draft Law on the Welfare of Mothers and Children which the government is currently working on. "This is a good opportunity to provide strategic thinking for child protection, especially orphans in Indonesia," he said.

On the other hand, Harry wants LKSA to follow developments in information technology considering the compelling changes in information. Technology can be used as a forum for exchanging information for cases that require a fast response.

Finally, Harry said that Fornas LKSA is a noble organization with a big mandate for the welfare of orphans. “Do everything beneficial to others, because that is the best thing for humans. "What is sown, that will be reaped," he said.

Meanwhile, LKSA is an alternative care service for children who cannot be cared for in a nuclear family, extended family, relatives or substitute family. The goal of alternative care is to provide an environment that can meet the child's needs for love, attachment, and permanence through a surrogate family.

Present at the National Meeting was the General Chair of the LKSA Fornas and Tanah Bumbu Regent, Abah Zairullah Azhar, representatives of the LKSA Regional Forum Leaders from all Provinces in Indonesia, representatives of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, the Ministry of PPPA, and Bappenas.


Public Relations Bureau
Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs