No meetings in hotels

SEMARANG, Central Java: Governor Soewardi yesterday issued an order banning all officials in his administration from holding meetings in hotels.

"The prohibition is a move to help save money in all sectors", he said, as quoted by Antara.

All meetings must now be held in provincial offices or lodges owned by the administration.

"The Central Java administration owns a lot of lodges and meeting places. These places should be used for meetings because we don't have to pay extra for them", he explained, adding that the ban would remain in place until the economic situation improved.

Soewardi also said that provincial officials have been told to try to save money on water, telephone, electricity and fuel bills.