Cairo: Hani Kamal El-Din
In a policy proposal that has stunned much of the country and triggered fierce debate, a top Indonesian official has suggested tying Indonesia’s social assistance policy to mandatory male sterilization. Dedi Mulyadi, the acting governor of West Java, says the measure could be a bold step in curbing poverty through birth control — but critics call it draconian, unethical, and a violation of basic human rights.
Mulyadi’s idea is as simple as it is explosive: men from low-income households seeking government aid would first need to undergo vasectomy. In return, they’d receive a small cash incentive — 500,000 rupiah, or roughly $30.
“If we want to ensure that assistance is distributed fairly and doesn’t contribute to deeper poverty, we must look at population control mechanisms,” Mulyadi told local media. “Voluntary vasectomy could be part of the solution.”
But for many Indonesians — especially in a nation with the world’s largest Muslim population — the proposal crosses an ethical red line.
Religion, Rights, and Reproductive Control
Religious clerics were quick to denounce the idea, calling it a violation of divine principles. Leaders from Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, Indonesia’s two largest Islamic organizations, issued warnings about using sterilization as a precondition for aid. Human rights advocates went further, branding the policy “coercive eugenics under the guise of welfare.”
“There’s nothing voluntary about sterilization when food is on the line,” said Dian Kartika, a reproductive rights lawyer based in Jakarta. “You’re offering money for people to surrender their ability to have children. That’s manipulation, not consent.”
Is the Vasectomy Reversible? Technically — But Rarely
Attempting to soften public backlash, Mulyadi emphasized that vasectomy is often reversible within a certain time frame. However, medical professionals were quick to point out that reversal is not guaranteed and can be expensive and invasive.
The debate has also drawn attention to broader concerns about informed consent, bodily autonomy, and class-based discrimination. “Would any official suggest this for middle-class citizens?” one prominent columnist asked. “Or is this only an option when it targets the voiceless poor?”
A History of Population Control — and Its Pitfalls
Indonesia is no stranger to state-backed birth control efforts. Under Suharto’s New Order regime, population programs were heavily promoted — but largely targeted women, often with little regard for consent. Now, critics fear a shift to targeting men could repeat the same mistakes under a different guise.
Around the world, population control policies have led to long-term social and demographic damage. China’s now-defunct one-child policy, for instance, resulted in gender imbalances, a shrinking workforce, and ethical scrutiny that still haunts its government today.
Are We Solving Poverty — or Punishing It?
At the heart of the controversy lies a fundamental question: should reproductive decisions be tied to economic support? For many, the answer is a resounding no.
“Poverty is not a crime that must be punished with sterilization,” said Nia Siregar, a sociologist at the University of Indonesia. “If the government wants to help families, it should invest in education, health care, and employment — not interfere in people’s reproductive rights.”
The backlash has been so intense that the proposal may never make it to parliament. But even as a discussion point, it has exposed the deep discomfort many Indonesians feel about how Indonesia’s social assistance policy is designed — and who it truly serves.
While Governor Mulyadi insists his goal is to create balance and reduce poverty, the proposed sterilization-for-aid scheme has struck a nerve in Indonesia’s complex social fabric. Linking Indonesia’s social assistance policy to irreversible medical procedures may not only erode trust in public welfare — it risks crossing the line between support and coercion.
In the end, the fight against poverty cannot come at the cost of dignity, autonomy, or the right to choose one’s future.
