...implemented by the Japanese government...
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that the policy to cut fuel subsidies and control energy consumption would start with reducing the use of lights in the Jakarta Presidential Palace complex.

"I want to say that the Presidential Institution Complex, in contrast to the previous day, had switched off a lot of lights," he declared here on Wednesday.

The president cited examples of electricity saving implemented by the Japanese government in the difficult period after World War II as well as when the country was struck by the tsunami disaster in 2010.

"It is said that the city of Tokyo was very dark at night; only two buildings had their lights on - the prime minister`s office and officials of the terrace. They worked hard to restore Japan`s economy; that`s what I heard," he remarked.

He added that when he visited Japan in 2011, after the tsunami had struck, the country was facing a power shortage.

"When I met with Prime Minister Naoto Kan and the Emperor, they said the lights were on only in important places."

The head of state asserted that Indonesia should follow Japan`s example, especially when facing a crisis.

On Tuesday, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono unveiled the government`s five-pronged approach to cutting fuel subsidies and controlling energy consumption.

First, the government will introduce a sophisticated distribution control system at every fuel station.

Second, all vehicles owned by government institutions, state-owned enterprises and regional enterprises will be banned from using subsidised fuels.

Third, the vehicles owned and operated by mining and plantation companies will be prohibited from using subsidised fuels.

Fourth, the government will encourage the implementation of oil-to-gas conversion programmes, and fifth, it will implement electricity- and water-saving measures in government offices, local government buildings, state-owned enterprises (BUMN), regional administration-owned enterprises (BUMD) and in street lighting.
(I025)

Editor: Ella Syafputri
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