Officials given surprise drug test

PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: Senior officials in the West Kalimantan provincial government were given surprise drug tests on Tuesday when they showed up for what they thought was a regular morning meeting with the governor.

Governor Usman Ja'far, Deputy Governor Herman Kadir and 46 high-ranking officials were given urine tests as part of the province's drive to combat narcotics.

A number of officials said they were surprised by the test, though they noted that they had been asked to attend the morning meeting in person.

"I was told last night that the governor would lead the meeting himself," said Deputy Governor Herman.

He said he was aware of plans to give officials surprise drug tests but had not been told the exact date.

The officials were greeted in the restroom by health officials and given plastic cups which they were asked to fill.

Herman said the test was aimed at screening out drug users from the administration. -- Antara