Councillors told to cancel trip

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Some 50 students rallied at the provincial legislative council on Monday, demanding councillors cancel their planned visit to East Java and Central Java.

The protesting students, grouped under the North Sumatra Anti Extravagance Society (Insaf), said the trip, which will cost the province Rp 793 million, was of a recreational purpose.

The students, who demanded a meeting with council treasurer Ruslan Goeltom and secretary Ali Musa Siregar but failed, vowed to block the councillors' access to Polonia Airport upon their departure on Tuesday.

The planned visit is the second of its kind, with the first made on Oct. 3 to West Java and Central Java. During the earlier trip, the councillors learned how local provinces increased revenues. (39/lup)