The commitment to becoming a Kabupaten Layak Anak (KLA/Child-Friendly District) is not only an administrative matter but must be realized through concrete, child-centered policies. In Pulau Morotai, this commitment was outlined in Regent Regulation (Perbup) No. 16 of 2017 on KLA. However, with the issuance of new regulations — Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 25 of 2021 and Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Regulation (PermenPPPA) No. 12 of 2022 — the old Perbup requires review to remain relevant and effective.
KREASI Morotai, implemented by the Stimulant Institute, collaborated with the local government to hold a workshop on Friday, 22 August 2025 to critically review the substance of the KLA Perbup. The initiative aimed to ensure that all local child protection policies are aligned with higher-level national regulations, while also addressing contextual challenges in Morotai.
One key finding was the use of a child definition that contradicted the Child Protection Law (Law No. 35 of 2014). The previous Perbup stated that individuals under 18 who were married were no longer considered children. This contradicts the official definition in the Child Protection Law, which affirms that every individual under 18 is a child, regardless of marital status.
Head of Department of Social Affairs and Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Office, Ansar Tibu, acknowledged that this reflected a strong local perception that parents’ responsibilities end once child marriage occurs.
“In Morotai, there is a belief that if a child is married, the responsibility shifts entirely to the spouse, no longer the parents,” Ansar explained.
Such perceptions not only conflict with national law but also risk weakening child protection, particularly for girls in the context of early marriage.
The joint review became a reflective space for government agencies to recognize the importance of harmonizing local regulations with national policies. The discussions not only revealed past errors but also built collective awareness of the need to uphold children’s rights through strong and accurate legal instruments.
This initiative was appreciated by the Head of the Legal Division of the Morotai Secretariat, Sulaiman Basri, who acknowledged the importance of KREASI Morotai’s efforts in encouraging progressive regulations that are responsive to children’s needs.
The revised Perbup draft has now entered its finalization stage and is expected to be enacted in September. This document will not only correct legal inconsistencies but also serve as a new foundation for policies that are fair, inclusive, and child-centered in Morotai.
The review of the KLA Perbup is a concrete example that commitment to children must not remain at the discourse level. Through strategic partnerships between local government and civil society, Morotai demonstrates that policy reform can serve as an entry point to building an ecosystem that genuinely protects and empowers children.
KLA is not merely a label, but a cross-sectoral responsibility that demands courage to revise, improve, and move forward together toward a more dignified future for every child.
Writer: Ayutama Putri Jordy; Editor: Andika Ramadhan
Photo: Ayutama Putri Jordy/KREASI/Stimulant Institute/Save the Children