The Prabumulih administration'€™s plan to force high school girls in Prabumulih, South Sumatra, to take a virginity test has drawn criticism from all sides.

Deny Trisna, a guidance and counseling teacher at state senior high school SMA Negeri 3 Prabumulih, questioned the policy.

'€œIf they find female students are no longer a virgin, what will they do?'€ Deny said, adding that schools should play an active role in preventing promiscuity among students.

Rumors abound that the administration'€™s plan to enforce virginity tests is in response to promiscuous behavior at Prabujaya Sports Square.

'€œRecently, the Palembang Police also foiled an attempt to traffic six young women. All of the perpetrators were released, however, because no actual transaction occurred,'€ said Deny.

The Woman Crisis Center (WCC) South Sumatra said the virginity test violated human rights because it was a private matter.

'€œIt'€™s harassment against women. The government should consider the impact of such a test on students,'€ said the center'€™s chairwoman, Yeni Roslaini.

Ali Usman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Prabumulih-chapter said the council was against the plan because it would have a negative impact on society.

"According to Islamic teachings, it is forbidden to see other people's genitals," he said. (ebf)