Antara
Jakarta Tue, 09/02/2008 9:42 AM
House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Agung Laksono has warned the government to seriously handle the alarming Indonesian population growth rate, which may hamper national development
"If we are not ready to tackle the high population growth rate and other such serious matters soon, it is feared that it may become a 'time bomb' to the national development," Agung told Antara on Monday.
The Indonesian population has now reached 220 million people, with a 1.175 percent annual growth rate, he said, adding that the total population may hit 247.5 million in 2015 and 273 million in 2025.
"This is undoubtedly a huge number, which is why we're calling for action," he said.
Now somebody please explain to me how they are going to stop the citizens from indulging in this countries national pastime?