Jakarta – Woman politicians from the United Development Party (PPP) strongly opposed the plan by the Health Ministry to distribute free condoms to people with high risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

Wardatul Asriah, head of the PPP woman and child protection division, said the distribution of free condoms would be prone to abuse. Distribution of free condoms, she claimed, could be easily send the wrong signals to teenagers and under-age children.

"We worry about potential abuses," she said at a party meeting on female empowerment and child protection on Thursday.

Instead of distributing free condoms, Wardatul said the Health Ministry should highlight the dangers of casual sex to teenagers, especially girls. She said she would consult with lawmakers and the Health Ministry to review the plan, Antara reported. Opposition to the ministry's free condom plan is in line with the PPP's program to empower women and to promote reproductive health, she added.