Rich People Should Marry Poor People So That Poverty Can Be Reduced in Indonesia, Says Minister

The rich should marry the poor so that poverty can be reduced in the country, said an Indonesian minister.

Mr Muhadjir Effendy, the Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister, said on 19th February that when poor people marry poor people, there will be more poor households and that it is a problem in Indonesia, reported CNA.

Effendy mentioned some statistics about the country’s households and their well-being, and said that five million out of 57.2 million households in Indonesia are poor, which accounts for 9.4 percent of poor households.

He added that if you consider near-poor households as well, there are 16.8 percent or about 15 million households with low income. 

Therefore, Effendy is suggesting that the Religious Affairs Minister Fachrul Razi issue a fatwa – religious rulings from Islamic authorities to provide guidance – ordering the poor to look for rich people to marry, and vice versa.

He also proposed that couples who aren’t economically stable but still want to get married to sign up for a pre-marital certification programme launched by President Joko Widodo.

The programme will train participants to enhance their skills so that they can get a job and will in turn push down the rate of new poor families in Indonesia, said Effendy.

Secretary-general of the Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI), Anwar Abbas supported Effendy’s proposal and said it epitomised the spirit of helping each other.

“There are many poor families and sometimes there are widows left behind by their husbands. They have to raise their children while making a living,” he said.

“If there is a rich man who likes her, and she likes him as well, then great.”

“A poor family will be lifted to become rich, and the number of poor people will be reduced.”

“Poverty will be reduced. Second, if realised, wealth will not just circulate (among the rich).”

Would getting the poor to marry the rich and vice versa really reduce the poverty rate in a country? Let us know in the comments below!

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