Jakarta mulling an extra holiday

JAKARTA: The central government is still considering granting Jakarta schools a public holiday on April 21, the day when most of the heads of state participating in the Asian-African Summit are expected to arrive.

"We have yet to determine whether the holiday will be for all schools in Jakarta or just some of them," State Secretary Yusril Ihza Mahendra announced late on Friday.

He added that the government was expecting input from Governor Sutiyoso.

April 21 coincides with the commemoration of Prophet Muhammad's birthday.

According to Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirajuda, at least 105 countries have registered their participation at the summit, which will be held on April 22 and April 23 in Jakarta and Bandung, West Java. -- Antara