Community
Disturbing trend of breast milk misuse in Indonesia and call for safer donations
A TikTok revelation has spotlighted an unsettling trend where adults, primarily men, are pursuing breast milk from mothers in Indonesia. The fetish phenomenon involves manipulating sympathy and deceiving lactating mothers.
INDONESIA: Mother’s milk or breast milk serves as a vital source of nourishment for infants.
However, an alarming trend has emerged where breast milk is being sought after by adults, predominantly men.
A recent TikTok video shed light on this peculiar issue, detailing an encounter with an individual harboring a fetish for breast milk.
The fetish phenomenon encompasses a particular fixation on certain objects, body parts, or activities for sexual arousal.
The TikTok account under the username rntika.ag shared her experiences, along with those of other mothers who had encountered individuals with this fetish.
“This is becoming increasingly distressing – engaging in conversations with individuals fixated on lactating mothers and breast milk. Regrettably, I’m not the sole target; countless others are also affected. It’s imperative to caution all breastfeeding mothers,” she conveyed in a written statement accompanying an image.
The content, which garnered an impressive 457.1 thousand views after being posted on August 10th, includes screenshots displaying conversations between the offender and breastfeeding mothers.
The individual adeptly assumes the role of a concerned husband, seemingly seeking a breast milk donor due to his wife’s hospitalization.
Manipulating sympathy, he dupes one of the victims into supplying breast milk, oblivious to its misuse.
In one of the screenshots, he even masquerades as his own wife, asserting the need for breast milk as their child is purportedly not benefiting from breastfeeding.
Upon realizing the deception and growing suspicions, the victim promptly severs communication ties with the perpetrator.
Social media users flooded the comments section, offering diverse viewpoints.
Some recommend a safer route for donating breast milk – suggesting direct donations to orphanages.
“For mothers with surplus breast milk willing to donate, it’s advisable to directly contribute to orphanages or more secure avenues. This situation is deeply unsettling,” user r***** commented.
Other users propose that potential donors should insist on verifying the requestor’s identity or engage in a video call prior to any donation.
“Sis, please disseminate this information among the breast milk donor community. My apologies to those unaware. In the future, requesters should be prompted to establish their identity or engage in a preliminary video call,” urged user f****.
Response from the Indonesian Breastfeeding Mothers Association (AIMI)
In response to the viral incident involving the ASI fetish, reported from detik, the Indonesian Breastfeeding Mothers Association (AIMI) has issued a statement.
AIMI emphasizes the importance of cautious selection when it comes to breast milk donors.
“Selecting breast milk donors should not be a random process; stringent screening is essential. Thorough examination of breast milk is also imperative. Donations should be conducted under regulated circumstances rather than between individuals,” affirmed AIMI Chairman Nia Umar.
Nia highlights that this incident underscores the urgency of instituting regulations pertaining to breastfeeding donors within the community.
In contrast to many other nations, Indonesia currently lacks an ASI bank (breast milk bank), and most donations occur on an individual basis.
Nia further recommends that mothers interested in donating breast milk should do so through hospital channels.
Several major Indonesian cities have established hospitals that accept breast milk donations, particularly for premature infants.
Community
WMP raises over S$1,600 in a day to help struggling family clear outstanding water bill
Workers Make Possible (WMP) raised over S$1,600 in a single day to assist a struggling family living in a rental flat. The family’s water supply was reduced due to an outstanding S$900 bill. The mother has been severely ill for months, unable to work, leaving her husband, who earns less than S$2,000 per month after CPF deductions, as the sole breadwinner.
SINGAPORE: A struggling family living in a rental flat had their water supply reduced on 1 October, as revealed in an Instagram post by the workers’ rights advocacy group, Workers Make Possible (WMP).
In an effort to ease the family’s burden, a fundraiser was launched. By the evening of 1 October, S$1,620 had been raised.
Of this amount, S$1,200 was transferred to the family to fully clear their outstanding water bill and address other urgent expenses.
The family, which had been accumulating water bill arrears for several months, was informed by SP Group that their water supply would only be fully restored if they paid S$450 upfront—half of their total outstanding bill of S$900.
According to WMP, the mother of the family has been severely ill for months, leading to her inability to work.
As a result, her husband, who earns less than S$2,000 per month after CPF deductions, is the sole breadwinner for the family, which includes young children.
With the rising cost of living in Singapore, the family has struggled to manage household expenses, leading to unpaid bills, WMP shared in the post.
After contacting SP Group, the mother was told the water supply would resume if half of the arrears were paid. However, she could not afford the required S$450.
This situation occurs amid rising water prices in Singapore.
The government raised the price of water by 20 cents per cubic metre this year, with an additional increase of 30 cents planned for next year.
WMP argued that despite government subsidies, many low-income families continue to struggle to cover their basic utility bills.
“Subsidies offered by the government don’t come anywhere close to alleviating the struggles of poor families in paying these bills. PUB earned about $286 million in 2021,” WMP challenged.
To support the family, Workers Make Possible organised a fundraiser via PayNow. In a 5:30 pm update on 1 October, WMP announced that S$1,620 had been raised.
Of this amount, S$1,200 was sent to the family to clear their water bill, while the remaining S$420 will be used to assist a young warehouse worker struggling with illness and rent payments, WMP clarified.
Community
Fire breaks out at HDB Hub in Toa Payoh
A fire broke out today (2 October) around noon in the Basement 3 bin centre of HDB Hub at Toa Payoh Lorong 6. The Singapore Civil Defence Force quickly extinguished the fire and is conducting investigations. The building has resumed full operations, but the public is advised to avoid the loading and unloading bay in Basement 3.
A fire broke out today (2 Ocrober), at approximately noon at HDB Hub, located at Toa Payoh Lorong 6.
According to a Facebook post on the official page of the Housing and Development Board (HDB), the fire originated in the Basement 3 bin centre of HDB Hub.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was promptly activated and has since extinguished the fire.
Investigations into the cause are currently underway, with SCDF remaining on-site.
In light of the disruption caused by the incident, HDB has informed customers that they may experience longer wait times for appointments.
“Our foremost consideration is the safety of our staff, customers, and members of the public at HDB Hub,” stated HDB, “We thank the public for their patience.”
Reports indicate that three fire engines, a rescue vehicle, and two ambulances were deployed to the scene, with at least 10 firemen present to manage the situation.
An announcement made at approximately 2.05 pm confirmed that the building has resumed full operations; however, the public is advised to avoid the loading and unloading bay in Basement 3.
HDB Hub, the headquarters of the housing board, is situated adjacent to Toa Payoh MRT station and features retail spaces alongside an indoor plaza and a 33-storey office tower.
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