The government's move to implement the needle exchange and condom distribution programme to check the spread of HIV/Aids among drug users would amount to legalising adultery, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Salahuddin Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian) argued during his adjournment speech this afternoon that the programme will not provide the solution sought to curb the pandemic locally.

"A main factor contributing to HIV/Aids is (promiscuous) sex and use of drugs. Are we sure that it (the programme) is an answer to curbing HIV/Aids by giving (users) needles and condoms? It is not the solution.

"We shouldn't provide condoms for adulterers to have sex safely. It will mean the government is supportive of adultery which contravenes religious teachings," said Salahuddin, who is also the Youth chief of Islamic opposition party PAS.

Responding, Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Lee Kah Choon said the issue of supporting adultery and use of drugs does not arise.

"Would it be comprehensive enough to tackle HIV/Aids by concentrating on measures to stop adultery and drug taking, and to implement the Islamic hudud law against adulterers and drug users?" he asked in turn.

Lee said the needle exchange and condom distribution programme is a preventive measure to contain the spread of HIV/Aids, as it is important to prevent those in the high-risk groups, such as drug users, from being affected.

He criticised the PAS Youth chief's argument as an "emotional opinion" and appealed to the public to view the programme rationally and base their opinion on the facts.

'Waste of funds'

During an earlier debate, Abdul Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan) also opposed the programme, saying this is unsuitable since it will involve Muslims and would further be a waste of public funds.

"What shall we do then? Stand on the roadside and ask who wants condoms, who wants needles?" he asked.

Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek announced earlier this week that his ministry has decided that the harm reduction programme, involving the two methods as well as drug substitution therapy, will proceed in January.

However, he will also hold a meeting with the ulama (Islamic religious scholars) on Aug 11 to explain the programme.

Harm reduction focuses on preventing or reducing actual harm associated with risk behaviour. The concept is popular in many countries, especially in dealing with drug users who are unlikely to stop using drugs in spite of the risk of HIV/Aids.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had endorsed the need for the programme because the situation has reached an "emergency level" in Malaysia.

Statistic released by the health ministry show that 64,439 Malaysians were living with HIV/Aids from 1986 up to last December. The number of new cases in 2004 was 6,427.

Of the number reported to date, 75 percent were injecting drug users. It has been estimated that, if left unchecked, 300,000 Malaysians could develop HIV in 10 years.