Officials told not to wear coats

SURABAYA: State Minister of Administrative Reforms Feisal Tamin renewed his call on Tuesday for government officials to stop wearing coats while working for the sake of efficiency.

Speaking before regents, mayors and local government officials across East Java in the provincial capital of Surabaya, Feisal said that leaving coats at home would help the government save both money and energy.

"Thousands of air conditioners can be switched off if people stop wearing coats," Feisal said in his address to the meeting, also attended by Governor Imam Utomo.

Feisal made his first call for a modest lifestyle among state officials last December.

He also told the officials to refrain from holding extravagant ceremonies when celebrating holidays and other special occasions.

"We'd rather thank God in our prayers than spend a lot of money to celebrate such days," he said. -- Antara