There is no ethical basis for our Health Ministry to propose that the Penal Code be amended to extend legal abortions from that of pregnancy endangering the mother's life, to other exceptional cases as well such as rape and incest ( Health Ministry proposes that abortions be made legal in certain cases

).

An abortion is what it is — a morally unjustifiable taking away of an unborn life. In cases of pregnancy endangering the mother's life, abortion is justifiable on the basis of preserving a life — that of the mother — by sacrificing an unborn life — that of the foetus.

This consideration of life in exchange for a life is inapplicable for rape and incest. This is bending too far back to accommodate a woman's right to autonomy and choice as prevalent in the West without regard of the right of the unborn infant who cannot speak for himself.

It is often argued, with considerable force of logic, but uncertain veracity, that it is natural for mothers to not love an offspring conceived from rape and incest and therefore it is merciful to terminate the pregnancy so that both mother and unloved children will be spared and not suffer from the doomed relationship.

Even assuming this is true for majority but not all cases, the proper thing for the state that is "pro-life", humane and compassionate to do is not to encourage abortion in incest and rape cases but to play the "paternal" role of father to the children conceived in these unfortunate circumstances where their mothers do not want them.

The state should divert some resources to set up an agency to provide safe haven, care and education for all abandoned, uncared for children and orphans (whether born in rape, incest, out of wedlock or even orphaned by their parents' untimely death) without regard to their circumstances of conception or abandonment — much like the Kibbutz system in Israel.

There will be many of such unwanted innocent children when women are forced to abandon them out of hatred of their biological fathers, financial destitution or social ostracism aggravated by the narrow-mindedness and morally hypocritical attitudes of society.

It is high time the state with its resources step in to manage this social problem of unwanted children so that they will not turn to delinquency and crime — a major social problem.

Why not play the father's role and turn them to useful citizens?

Our government is paternalistic where it should not be, and not paternalistic where it should be. Its priorities are mixed up.

I am sick of the state legislating that I should wear seatbelts, take moral or religious studies in schools, not smoke etc. as if it were the father. Why not be the 'father' in more deserving case of unwanted children?

The state has plenty of financial resources, which it fritters on many a big project that fails. Can't it spend some resources on unwanted children, the future citizens of the country, instead of coming up with ethically unsupportable proposals like legalising abortions for rape and incest cases?

The side benefit is that when they grow up these children will vote for the Barisan Nasional!