Jakarta, Sept. 8 -- Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that the government would first monitor and gather more information regarding the reported mass layoffs at cigarette company PT Gudang Garam.

Speaking to the press at his office in Jakarta on Monday, the minister did not detail any possible government action, noting only that the matter would be examined while citing Gudang Garam's ongoing modernization efforts.

"We will look into this issue," Hartarto said.

He further said that he had yet to receive an official report or statement from the cigarette producer about the layoffs, which reportedly occurred at a factory in Tuban District, East Java Province.

The issue drew public attention ...