Jakarta, Apr 11 : Massage parlours in an Indonesian town have asked their female masseuses to padlock their skirts and pants, in a bid to curb prostitution.

At least one parlour in the tourist town of Batu on Java island has required its masseuses to padlock their skirts or trousers to make it clear it does not tolerate prostitution.

After local officials suggested that padlock was a good idea to prevent prostitution, the locals have also started following the suit.

Also, in recent days, TV footage and photos have shown several masseuses with small padlocks in the zip of their pants or skirts.

But the move has been opposed by the country's women's affairs minister, where massage parlours are often a front for prostitution.

"It is not the right way to prevent promiscuity," the Jakarta Post quoted Meutia Swasonom, as saying.

"It insults women ... as if they are the ones in the wrong," she added.

Imam Suryono, the head of the town's public order authority, said: "The padlocking phenomena has been seen at various parlours and it is something we like."

ANI