If the punishment is castration, well let the police doctors do the job."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla (JK) said he respects decision of the Indonesian Physician Association (IDI) that its members would refuse to be the executor of castration against pedophilia.
"Well, it is their right, but not all doctors are members of IDI. There are military doctors and police doctors," Kalla said here on Friday (10/6).
The government has issued a presidential regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) allowing the Indonesian court to give additional punishment of castration against sexual abuse on children.
The Perpu, however, has yet to be approved by the House of Representatives.
Earlier, IDI general chairman Ilham Oetama Marsis expressed IDI rejection of the castration punishment saying it would refuse to be the executor of the punishment.
The government proposal on the Perpu came after growing cases of pedophilia in the country.
IDI said castration by physicians is against their oath and ethical code.
Kalla said physicians should not be worried too much about castration as it is only a punishment a judge of court could mete out to protect children from sexual abuses.
In giving the punishment a judge would need special testimonies and not all perpetrators would be punished with castration, he said.
"If the punishment is castration, well let the police doctors do the job," he added.
On May 25 , 2016 President Joko Widodo signed the Perppu on protection of children. Under the Perppu perpetrators of sexual abuse on children is punishable with castration.
The Perppu has triggered new controversy.
In addition to IDI, a number of observers have expressed opposition to the regulation.
Law expert from the Islamic Institute of IAIN Ambon DR Ismael Rumadhan called on the House of Representatives not rush into approving the Perppu.
"I call on the House to carefully consider the wisdom of the Perppu as castration is tantamount to life long punishment," Dr Ismael said.
(Uu.H-ASG/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
