Work stops on Rp 2.3b house

BANDARLAMPUNG, Lampung: Construction on the Rp 2.3 billion official residence of the Bandar Lampung mayor has been put on hold because of the economic crisis, Antara reported.

"We've completed 80 percent of the construction but the city administration decided to halt the project because the provision of basic needs must now take priority," Mayor Suharto said after leading the commemoration to mark the town's 316th anniversary.

The new mayor's official residence is located on Jl. Gatot Subroto.

Mayoralty spokesman Syaiful Anwar defended the project, saying the mayor needed a decent residence, comparable at least to the official residence of the Lampung Utara regent. (emb)