Jakarta, Sept. 8 -- Indonesia's Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Ministry is monitoring a baby trafficking case involving illegal adoptions that sent 18 children from West Java to Singapore.

Deputy for Child Special Protection Titi Eko Rahayu said the government was concerned about the case and stressed that children must never be treated as commodities.

The children's best interests must remain the priority throughout prevention and case handling, including ensuring their rights and providing services tailored to their needs, she said here Tuesday.

The case underscores the need to strengthen prevention through public education on legal adoption, stronger family resilience, and improved access to services and complaint mechanis...