Overseas trip prohibited

Overseas trip prohibited

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Governor Raja Inal Siregar has
prohibited regents and mayors from traveling overseas until after
the upcoming meetings of People's Consultative Assembly in
Jakarta scheduled for March 1 to March 11.

Siregar said yesterday the officials should focus on security
in their respective areas during that period, Antara reported.

The Assembly's meetings' top agenda is to elect a new
president and vice president and to adopt the 1998-2003 State
Policy Guidelines.

Siregar met with all regents and mayors to discuss stability
in the province because the worsening economic crisis has
augmented potential unrest.

Provincial government's spokesman, Amri Tambunan, said the
governor ordered the officials to step up information campaigns
aimed at calming people facing the crisis. (pan)