Yeremia Sukoyo – A former Islamic student leader says that senior figures in religious political parties have been lured into foolish decisions by attractive women seeking to tarnish the politicians' reputations.

"Women are being used as a way of degrading the image of Islamic figures," Erlangga Muhammad, former secretary general of the Islamic Students Alumni Association (Kahmi), said on Tuesday.

He cited the beef quota graft case in which Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) figures have been named suspects by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

"Unfortunately, the Islamic figures involved are not as cunning in their politics. As such, when faced with efforts to weaken them, they [PKS politicians] are unable to do anything," Erlangga told a dialogue on Islam and politics at the Islamic Youth Movement (Gerakan Pemuda Islam) headquarters in Jakarta.

In January, Ahmad Fathanah, an adviser to the then-PKS chairman and a suspect in the beef quota case, was caught in a hotel room with a female university student to whom he gave cash. Fatahanah was later accused of giving gifts to up to 45 women.

Meanwhile, Islamic candidates are out of favor among young voters in next year's presidential election, a National Survey Institute poll has found.

The survey of people aged 16 to 20 from across the country found that senior figures in religious parties each attracted support from less than 3 percent of respondents, while candidates from nationalist parties fared better.

PKS chairman Anis Matta was attracted support from 2.1 percent of respondents, while National Awakening Party (PKB) official Muhaimin Iskandar was backed by 1.9 percent and United Development Party (PPP) figure Suryadharma Ali by 1.2 percent.

Dipa Pradipta, a senior researcher at the institute, said Islamic parties were considered too conservative by first-time voters.