It was a simple, technical seminar on “Devising a Marketing Strategy to attract Tourists from the Middle East ”. Keynote speaker was Vice-President Jusuf Kalla, who had been active in establishing economic relations between and the Middle East . But, in his off-the-cuff speech, Kalla unintentionally dropped a bombshell.

 Speaking about the fact that Jakarta ’s hill resort of Puncak is now popular with Arab businessmen, not so much for its scenic beauty as for its female attractions, Kalla remarked: “so, what if these men go into a marriage contract for a day or two, then leave the women behind? Economically speaking the widows will be better off, and there would be an improvement in genes, as their children will be good-looking,” he joked.

While his remarks drew laughter from the audience present, not so when these were presented black and white in the Jakarta Post, where it drew indignant outrage from across the country, especially from women’s groups in Parliament, who immediately sent a letter of protest.  Parliament’s Women Caucus for Human Rights and 8 other women organization promptly insisted that the Vice President deliver a formal apology to the nation and retract his statement.

Which Jusuf Kalla did, promptly. The next day in a press conference, Kalla apologized if his words, - that he said were spoken in jest, - had offended the public.

It is, however, the opinion of the Women’s Caucus that VP Jusuf Kalla has reduced the human dignity of women to a matter of material sexual transactions, though done through a marriage contract, which in fact violates ’s Law No. 1 of 1974 on Marriages. The VP has also not considered the plight of these widows who are burdened with rearing and educating illegal children, besides carrying a social stigma with them, said the Caucus. As a matter of fact, continued the Caucus, the entire transaction that is condoned, is nothing but covered up prostitution. 

Kalla’s statement is also not in line with government’s efforts to fight the trade in women, considering that is still listed as one of the worst countries in the fight against the trade in women and children, continued the Caucus. Therefore, although the Vice President has apologized, the Caucus will, nonetheless, continue to monitor its implementation especially by the Department of Culture and Tourism.