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Indonesia's trade minister sparked anger Wednesday after saying that second-hand clothes could spread HIV as he campaigned to stop the import of used garments.
Rachmat Gobel was quoted in local media saying used clothes could cause "skin diseases, HIV. It is true, we have seen a lab result".
Indonesian officials have expressed alarm at what they say is a flood of cheap, second-hand clothing flooding the country, saying that it is damaging the local textile industry.
Gobel quickly apologised after his comments were widely reported, posting on Twitter he had meant to say that "wearing used clothes can transmit many kinds of diseases".
Rachmat Gobel was quoted in local media saying used clothes could cause "skin diseases, HIV. It is true, we have seen a lab result".
Indonesian officials have expressed alarm at what they say is a flood of cheap, second-hand clothing flooding the country, saying that it is damaging the local textile industry.
Gobel quickly apologised after his comments were widely reported, posting on Twitter he had meant to say that "wearing used clothes can transmit many kinds of diseases".
Indonesian Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel (center) speaks at a meeting in Jakarta on Dec 22, 2014, flanked by his special advisers Johnny Darmawan (left) and Benny Soetrisno. Mr Gobel sparked anger on Wednesday, Feb 4, 2015, after saying that second-hand clothes could spread HIV as he campaigned to stop the import of used garments.
