Jakarta. Indonesian lawmakers Luqman Hakim and Abdul Fikri Faqih have voiced strong concerns about a new government regulation providing contraceptives to school-aged children and adolescents. They worry that the regulation, part of Government Regulation No. 28 of 2024 on Health, might be misinterpreted as endorsing premarital sex, rather than focusing on comprehensive sexual education and moral guidance.

"The implementation of this reproductive health rule for adolescents must not become a gateway to promote premarital sex among youths," Luqman Hakim, a member of Commission VIII from the National Awakening Party (PKB), said during a press conference on Monday.

The regulation in question, Government Regulation No. 28 of 2024 on Health, recently signed by President Joko Widodo, includes provisions for reproductive health services for school-aged children and adolescents. Article 103(4) of the regulation stipulates that reproductive health services must include the provision of contraceptives.

The regulation mandates that reproductive health services, including contraceptive provision, be delivered through counseling by qualified health professionals. However, Luqman is concerned that this could lead to a misunderstanding of adolescent sexuality.

"Direct access to contraceptives might lead youths to view sexuality as a problem that can be addressed merely through technical means, ignoring the emotional, moral, and social aspects," Luqman warned.

He added that the regulation could promote the notion that sexual activity in youth is acceptable as long as contraception is used, without sufficiently emphasizing the long-term risks and consequences of premature sexual behavior.

Luqman argued that efforts to address reproductive health for adolescents should prioritize education over the provision of contraceptives. He emphasized the need for a holistic and comprehensive approach that includes quality sexual education, counseling, and emotional support, aligned with Indonesia's moral and cultural values.

Deputy Chair of Commission X, Abdul Fikri Faqih from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), also criticized the regulation, stating that providing contraceptives to students contradicts the principles of national education. "This is inconsistent with the mandate of national education, which is based on high moral standards and respect for religious norms," Fikri said.

Fikri further argued that providing contraceptives to students is akin to legitimizing premarital sex among youths. "Instead of educating about the risks of premarital sex, the focus seems to be on providing the means. How does that logic work?" he questioned.

He stressed that national education should uphold noble values and religious norms, as taught by the nation's founders, emphasizing the importance of adhering to religious teachings.