On 2017-01-13 19:44, Paul Eggert proposed to use numeric instead of invented abbreviations. I have two questions regarding the proposal. The acronym WITA is used for UT + 08 h with Asia/Makassar before 1964, while it is not used for UT + 08 h with Asia/Pontianak before 1964, nor with Asia/Jakarta. This seems to be a bit unsystematic. Why not just avoid every proleptic use of WITA, as it is done for WIT (for UT + 09 h): Zone Asia/Makassar 7:57:36 - LMT 1920 7:57:36 - MMT 1932 Nov # Macassar MT 8:00 - +08 1942 Feb 9 9:00 - +09 1945 Sep 23 + 8:00 - +08 1964 8:00 - WITA My other concern is the removal of the acronym JST for UT + 09 h in favor of +09 when used in occupied territory. Occupation is one of the few cases where the use of an acronym from a different region makes sense; and there is ample precedent with CET, CEST and its Rules in occupied territory. Using +09 as the acronym makes the agreement with JST a coincidence -- which it wasn't. Michael Deckers.