At least nine government buildings have been destroyed in Padang, West Sumatra, after a devastating earthquake and the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology is holding an emergency meeting about communications access in affected areas. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) reported on its Web site that at least nine government offices, including the City Hall, Provincial Legislative Council and the Central Bank, in Padang were heavily damaged along with school buildings, shopping centers, markets, office buildings, hotels and a mosque. Mobile phone connections in the area are still not fully functioning. The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology is holding an emergency meeting on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. The meeting will be led by the the general secretary of the ministry, Basuki Yusuf Iskandar. The ministry spokesman Gatot S Dewa Broto told the press the meeting will be attended by the association leaders and broadcast companies, post and telecommunication officials and high ranked officers at the ministry. Some of those attending the meeting will include the chairman of Indonesian Internet Service Providers (APJII), Indonesian Cellular Telephone Association (ATSI), the Telematics Community, Indonesian Radio Organization and the directors of cellular operators and television stations.
