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UMAI: Casual sex among teenagers in Dumai, Riau, is a cause for concern as out of wedlock pregnancies have been on the rise and have led to fledgling marriages.

Dumai Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) head Lukman Syarif said they were concerned about the trend.

“Cases at the East Dumai Religious Affairs Office can serve as an example. This month, of the 10 couples getting married there, seven of them were already pregnant,” he said on Wednesday.

“Ironically, almost every year, a number of female students in Dumai cannot sit exams because they are pregnant. But this shameful matter is always covered up.”

Lukman urged the relevant agencies to immediately take action to stem the phenomenon.

“I’m afraid the deviation among students will worsen if the government tends to be permissive and doesn’t care,” he said.