Malaysia will impose mandatory prison terms on HIV-positive people who knowingly spread the virus to others by donating blood, the government said Thursday.
Meanwhile, Muslims who wish to marry will have to undergo HIV tests before tying the knot as part of measures to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS, which officials estimate could affect 300,000 Malaysians by 2015, said Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak.
"If you knowingly donate blood when you're HIV-positive, you could cause the death of others," Najib was quoted as saying by the national news agency, Bernama. "We want to make it a crime."
At least seven blood donors last year were found to be HIV carriers, Najib said.
He said laws would be amended to imprison and fine HIV-infected offenders, but did not elaborate on when the move will be taken or the possible length of the sentences.
Najib didn't comment on the possibility of penalties for other cases where AIDS is spread on purpose, such as sexual intercourse and needle sharing.
He said the government also wants all states to have mandatory HIV testing for Muslims planning to wed _ a requirement now imposed in seven of this mostly Muslim country's 13 states.
Currently, if test results prove positive, couples would be counseled on the consequences, but will not be stopped from marrying.
The measure is needed because more women are being infected due to sexual contact, Najib said.
According to Health Ministry statistics released earlier this month, Malaysia recorded 70,559 cases of HIV/AIDS between 1986 _ when it was first detected here _ and this year.
About 6,000 new cases are reported each year, 70 percent involving drug users, Najib said.
Authorities plan to also step up AIDS awareness warnings through media programs, seminars and weekly sermons at mosques, Najib added.
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