Tangerang – The South Tangerang Branch of the Indonesia Ulema Council spoke out on Tuesday against a move by health authorities to distribute free condoms to sex workers to help halt the spread of HIV/AIDS in the city close to Jakarta.

"Distributing contraception means legalizing the existence of female sex workers in South Tangerang," said Abdul Rozak, secretary of the South Tangerang branch of the organization, known as MUI.

The South Tangerang administration is planning to distribute 12,500 condoms to sex workers as HIV infections continue to rise across Indonesia.

Abdul Rozak, however, said that MUI rejected the idea because it was contrary to the city's motto of being smart, modern and religious. He claimed that distributing free condoms would increase the number of female sex workers in the city.

"We're pessimist that the distribution of contraception would prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS," he said. "There are many ways to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS, but not by giving them contraception." (Antara/JG)