Muslim couples planning to get married in Johor are not required to undergo blood tests for Aids, Health Minister Chua Jui Ming announced today.

"There was a misunderstanding, and we are told now that Johor Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman was misquoted by the press when he made the announcement," Chua told reporters after speaking at a forum on Aids in Kuala Lumpur today.

According to press reports on Oct 29, Abdul Ghani stated that Muslim couples in the southern state were required to go through mandatory blood tests to check for diseases before being allowed to marry.

The press reports also stated that the policy was to be implemented on Nov 13 to curb the rise in the number of HIV cases in Johor.

HIV infection

The HIV virus infects humans through unprotected sex, tainted blood transfusions, intravenous drug use, infected expectant mothers, or through tainted organ transplants.

The virus either remains dormant or becomes full blown Aids which weakens the victims' immune system leaving them exposed to death even from common colds.

Chua clarified that the test was voluntary but Muslim couples would be required to attend counseling sessions.

Not obliged to do so

"If they still don't want a test to be carried out they will not be obliged to do so," he said.

The media reports on Abdul Ghani's statement caused a flurry among Aids activists in Malaysia, among them Malaysian Aids Council (MAC) president Marina Mahathir.

The Council feared the plan was not scientifically sound, lacked trained staff, and could cause unnecessary distress for those with false positive results, Marina told The Sun on Oct 31.

Earlier while speaking at the forum, Chua stated that a lot more needs to be done to raise awareness of Aids.

We need to strengthen collaboration among the ministries, and society by including the involvement of people living with HIV/Aids in our fight against the disease, said Chua.

A lot more effort is needed to fight the stigma, discrimination and social repulsion associated with the disease, he said.

He added that social support needs to be extended not only those living with HIV/Aids but also children orphaned or affected by the disease.