Legislators in the eastern Indonesian province of Papua are poised to pass a law requiring AIDS-infected locals who are sexually active to be implanted with microchips so they can be monitored.

A Papuan lawmaker defended the bill saying a microchip tag or RFID will protect healthy people. "I am a doctor, saving lives is my profession. If we want to save the only limited number of Papuans, we have to take real action because 47 percent of (the country's) HIV/AIDS (cases) are in Papua," Councilor John Manangsang said, according to Asianewsnet.net. There are an estimated 61 AIDS infection for every 100,000 people in Papua, a rate five times higher than the national average of infection.

Manangsang added that with the microchip implant, authorities would be able to identify, track and ultimately punish those who deliberately infect others with up to six months in jail or a $5,000 fine.

However, local health workers and AIDS activists said the implant will violate the rights of people with AIDS.