TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice President Jusuf Kalla wants air conditioning units at both government offices buildings as well as privately-owned workspaces to be set at warmer temperatures in an effort to conserve energy.

"I would like to remind everyone that setting air conditioning units at lower temperatures uses up more energy," Kalla—also known by his initials, JK—told the press at the vice president's palace in Jakarta on Tuesday.

After receiving the Special Envoys of South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam, JK made a point to set the temperature in one of the rooms up from 18 degreesCelsius to 25 degree Celsius.

According to JK, he already notified his staff to set the air conditioning units at warmer temperatures during his tenure as vice president between 2004-2009, but his reminder went unheeded as soon as his tenure ended. "That is why I'd like to remind everyone to abide by this advice once more," said the newly-inaugurated vice president.

His advice came after he noted that the thermostat at a number of rooms around the his palace was set to 18 and 20 degree Celsius. "I've ordered everyone to set the thermostat of all air conditioning units around the vice president's palace at 25 degree Celsius," he said.

The vice president said that all heads of agencies would be reminded to set the thermostat at warmer temperatures to conserve energy.

ANTARA