A bid by a local government in Indonesia to curb prostitution by asking masseuses to wear a padlock on their pants was an insult, a newspaper quoted the Minister for Women's Empowerment as saying.

The recently implemented policy in the tourist area of Batu in East Java was misguided, State Minister for Women's Empowerment Meuthia Hatta told the Jakarta Post.

"It is not the right way to prevent promiscuity. It insults women as if they are the ones in the wrong," Ms Hatta said.

The paper showed a photograph of a masseuse with a padlock on the waist band of her trousers and said the local administration's move was aimed at curbing prostitution and maintaining Batu's image as a popular tourist destination.

The best way to curb prostitution in massage parlours was to improve security systems including installing CCTV, Ms Hatta said.

Batu, 75 kilometres south of Indonesia's second-biggest city, Surabaya, is a popular tourist destination for its cool climate, hot springs and mountain scenery.