MUI: Education on sex and reproduction is more important than promoting condom use

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - The Indonesian Council of Ulamas (MUI) Chairman KH Amidhan said that sex and reproduction education for the public, including for teenagers, was far more important than the promotion of condom use. He expressed his dissagrement over the implementation of the National Condom Week from Dec. 1 to 7.

"The MUI does not agree with the implementation of the National Condom Week, because it only suits the interests of the condom industry, rather than promote the use of contraceptives," Amidhan said on Monday, Dec. 2.

He concerned that the promotion of condom use could be misinterpreted and instead encourage youngsters to engage in free sex. The idea of holding a National Condom Week was initiated by the Ministry of Health and organized by the National AIDS Eradication Commission (KPAN). But, Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi said that the condom use campaign was not a forbidden issue and compared it to cigarette distribution.

"It is more dangerous to distribute cigarettes than to launch a campaign on the use of condoms," the Minister noted.