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)