BANDA ACEH (Indonesia) - MUSLIM women in Indonesia's West Aceh district will be banned from wearing 'tight' trousers or jeans under new regulations, an official said on Tuesday.

From the start of next year any woman wearing trousers or jeans deemed to be too tight will have to immediately change into a government-issue skirt and their offending garment will be chopped into pieces.

'If a woman flouts (the rule), her trousers will be cut up on the spot and replaced with a skirt that will be provided free of charge by the West Aceh government,' district chief Ramli Mansur told AFP. 'This rule applies not only to women but also to men, who are prohibited from wearing shorts.'

The regulations only applied to the majority Muslim population and was based on the recommendation of local clerics. 'We'll still respect the rights of non-Muslims so they shouldn't worry,' Mr Mansur said.

He said loose-fitting trousers could be worn under a skirt, as long as no part of the ankle was visible.

'We're not stopping women from wearing trousers. What's prohibited are tight trousers and jeans. If they have to wear trousers, the trousers must cover their ankles and be worn under loose, long skirts,' he said. 'If there are parties who disagree, don't be angry with me. Be angry with God as I'm only carrying out a religious obligation.' -- AFP