A respected Malaysian Muslim religious advisor has suggested that women wear chastity belts to thwart 'sex maniacs' who rape and commit incest, according to a report.

Abu Hassan Din Al-Hafiz said cases of rape and incest were rampant and that chastity belts would help reduce sex-related crimes, The Star daily reported today.

"We have even come across a number of unusual sex cases, where even senior citizens and children were not spared. The best way to avert sex perpetrators is to wear protection," he was quoted as saying in the newspaper.

"My intention is not to offend women but to safeguard them from sex maniacs," he said.

Elaborating on his idea, he said there would be other positives to donning the belts.

"Husbands could also feel more secure, if you know what I mean," he said, adding chastity belts were worn as recently as the mid-1960s.

Abu Hassan has served as a religious advisor to Malaysia's king and written books on Islamic studies.

'Inhuman' suggestion

Abu Hassan's suggestion, however, drew a strong reaction from Amnesty International Malaysia (AIM) which said it was another form of violence to control women's behaviour.

"The underlying cause of rape and other forms of violence against women lies in discrimination which denies women's equality with men. Violence against women is about power and control.

"This suggestion is nothing else but another form of violence to control women's behaviour and to restrict and maintain the subordination of women. It is unacceptable and violates a women's dignity and her physical and mental integrity," said AIM Executive Director Josef Roy Benedict.

"The use of chastity belts also amounts to torture, is an inhuman and degrading treatment that violates a women's sexual and reproductive rights and is detrimental to a women's personal health and hygiene," added his statement.