Indonesia Seeks Dignified Relationship With Korea


Meutia Farida Hatta
By Kang Shin-who
Staff Reporter

An Indonesian government leader has asked Koreans to show respect to her nation, referring to foreigners reportedly using child prostitutes in Bali.

Meutia Farida Hatta, Indonesian minister for women empowerment, advised the Korean government to handle in a proper manner Koreans who come to Indonesia to use the services of prostitutes.

``We hope to have a dignified relationship with Korea and want Korean people to respect Indonesia. There are many foreigners who look for child prostitution in Bali, although having sex with children is subject to severe punishment,’’ the minister said in an interview with The Korea Times Wednesday.

The minister’s remarks indicate that the Indonesian government wants to prevent sex trade in the country by asking other countries to take a more active role, instead of his country metering out severe punishment to sex tourists.

Child sex traders or abusers can be sentenced to a maximum 15 years in prison in Indonesia, but the country is rather lenient on foreigners as it is concerned that the strict control of foreigners would damage the tourism business.

The minister also asked Korea to show more concern for the welfare of Indonesian women migrant labourers so that they can realize their dreams here in Korea.

Meutia Hatta arrived in Seoul Wednesday to participate in the World Women’s Forum 2007, which ends Friday.

During her visit, Meutia Hatta will discuss a cooperation plan with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, especially in information technology (IT), to help more women participate in social activities in the country.

Meutia Hatta joined the Cabinet of President Bambang Yudhoyono in October 2004.

The minister has endeavored to decrease the women illiteracy rate and increase the employment of women.

She also introduced a bill on anti-trafficking to protect women migrant workers.

``I think we also need more women in the political field. Now, women account for only 13 percent in the Indonesian parliament. During my tenure until 2009, I will seek to increase the number of women in parliament to 30 percent of the total,” she said.

Meutia Hatta is concurrently a professor of anthropology at the University of Indonesia and also a guest lecturer at other universities. She served as deputy for cultural reservation and development at the Ministry for Culture and Tourism between 2003 and 2004.

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