C. Java governor takes salary cut

SEMARANG, Central Java: From yesterday Central Java's governor, mayors, regents and their assistants began receiving lower basic salaries to support the government's poverty alleviation program.

"Beginning this month, my basic salary of Rp 1.1 million (US$137.50) will be cut," Central Java Governor Soewardi said yesterday.

The salary cut only applies to the governor, mayors, regents and their assistants because they have fairly large allowances.

He did not specify the amount the government would be able to save by slashing their basic salaries.

"I cannot give the exact amount now but for sure it is large," he said, as quoted by Antara.