Indonesia has declared the adoption of 18 Indonesian children in Singapore illegal, claiming the arrangements violated its adoption laws and were linked to a human trafficking syndicate.
The case has raised questions about the children’s legal status and future, with some having already obtained Singapore citizenship while adoption proceedings involving another eight children remain pending.
Indonesian authorities are now discussing possible next steps with Singapore, including the possibility of returning the children to Indonesia.
Children Linked to Trafficking Syndicate
Indonesia’s Ministry of Social Affairs said the 18 children were connected to a trafficking syndicate uncovered by West Java police in 2025.
According to Indonesia’s director of child social rehabilitation, Kahono Agung Suhartoyo, Singapore authorities had sought clarification regarding eight adoption cases that were still being processed.
Indonesia reportedly informed Singapore that the adoptions were illegal because they did not comply with the country’s requirements.
The authorities cited a court ruling in Bandung involving the alleged trafficking syndicate as part of their concerns.
Indonesian Law Has Strict Adoption Requirements
Under Indonesian law, international adoptions must go through the Child Adoption Advisory Team, which includes representatives from various government agencies, the police, the Foreign Affairs Ministry and child protection authorities.
Prospective adoptive parents must also fulfil several conditions, including having lived in Indonesia for at least two years, being no older than 55 and passing physical and psychological assessments.
Indonesian authorities believe the procedures were legally flawed because the children’s transfer was connected to the trafficking syndicate.
Indonesia Considering Bringing Children Home
Indonesia is currently discussing possible solutions with Singapore through its embassy, including bringing the children back to their home country.
The Indonesian authorities have also indicated that they are prepared to provide protection and rehabilitation services should the children return.
Investigations reportedly found that the children originated from families in West Java, but their identity documents had allegedly been falsified to indicate that they came from West Kalimantan.
Authorities are now working to identify their biological parents before deciding how family reunification could take place.
Singapore Authorities Reviewing the Cases
Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Social and Family Development previously confirmed that they were working with Indonesian authorities to investigate allegations involving babies trafficked into Singapore for adoption.
The ongoing investigations have also affected the processing of some citizenship applications.
MSF and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority have been engaging affected adoptive parents to explain the situation.
Singapore authorities said they were working towards resolving the cases while safeguarding the welfare and best interests of the children.
For now, the immediate concern remains the children’s legal status and future, particularly those whose adoption and citizenship applications have yet to be resolved.