"Electricity also has to be saved."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Energy minister Jero Wacik said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would announce energy- and water-saving programmes by the end of April.

"President will tell what is to be saved and how, as well as about its supervision. For example, do not turn on the lights or air-conditioning system when no one is in the building. Electricity also has to be saved," he said here on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, with regard to fuel saving, Jero said people would be advised not to travel unless necessary or to use a car all by themselves, while the use of subsidized fuels would also be restricted to cars with certain engine capacities.

"Now it is still being discussed whether only cars below 1,500cc or 2,000 cc will be allowed to use subsidized gasoline, and how it is to be controlled," he added.

Jero explained that the energy-saving program was needed following the cancellation of the oil price hike on April 1, 2012.

The government plans to implement restrictions on the use of subsidized fuels based on engine capacity.

As of May, all official cars, as well as cars belonging to state-owned companies or regional administration-owned companies in Java and Bali, will be required to use non-subsidized fuel.

After 60 days, or around July, the rule will be applied on all people across Java and Bali in stages.

For that the government will issue a regulation as its legal umbrella.
(T.K007/Uu.H-YH/INE/KR-BSR/H-YH)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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