Ende, June 18 -- Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka urged authorities to conduct proper studies and consult local communities before selecting sites for Red and White Village Cooperative facilities after concerns emerged over a planned school demolition in East Nusa Tenggara.

Gibran made the remarks during a visit to Wolomoni Public Elementary School in Ende District on Thursday after reports said the school could be cleared for a cooperative building.

"I have told the deputy governor, district head and village head that site selection must be based on careful studies," Gibran said.

He stressed that cooperative projects should involve discussions with local residents to prevent adverse impacts on surrounding communities.

"We cannot...