Monas elevator shut for month

JAKARTA: The elevator in the National Monument (Monas) will stop operations for a month starting on Wednesday to undergo repairs, following its breakdown on Sunday, Governor Sutiyoso said.

"I have consulted all the parties involved and we have decided to close down the elevator for a month. We will also evaluate lighting in the emergency staircase and our general safety procedures," he said.

The elevator jammed on Sunday at about 2:30 p.m. Dozens of visitors were trapped on the monument observation deck for two hours.

They had to be evacuated through the emergency exit, a steep 450-step staircase. -- JP