Authorities to remove illegal banners from streets<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The city administration will remove illegal
\nbanners displaying political messages which have been placed on
\nmajor streets throughout the city, Deputy Governor for
\nAdministrative Affairs Abdul Kahfi said over the weekend.<\/p>\n
Kahfi said the clean-up was necessary because the banners
\npresence detracted from the city's beauty.<\/p>\n
\"People are not allowed to display banners wherever they like
\nwithout abiding by existing regulations,\" he said. \"That's why I
\nwill instruct my staff to remove the banners as soon as
\npossible.\"<\/p>\n
He did not however say when the clean-up campaign would start.<\/p>\n
Banners commenting on calls to investigate former president
\nSoeharto's wealth and bring him to trial for alleged abuse of
\npower during his 32 year rule have appeared on the city's streets
\nsince he resigned from the presidency on May 21.<\/p>\n
One of the areas where political banners are most visible is
\nnear the statue of Pak Tani (near Jl. Prapatan and Jl. Arif
\nRahman Hakim) in Central Jakarta, where 10 vie for the attention
\nof passing members of the public.<\/p>\n
The slogans emblazoned on the different colored cloths read:
\n\"Stop persecuting former president Soeharto and avoid bloodshed\";
\n\"Be united Habibie, Mega, Amien Rais -- the people are hungry\",
\nin reference to the new President and two prominent opposition
\nfigures and; \"Investigate Soeharto's wealth and try him\".<\/p>\n
Similar banners can also be seen in other areas, including on
\nJl. Diponegoro in Central Jakarta, and Jl. Jend. Sudirman and
\nPasar Minggu in South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Some of the banners disappeared yesterday, but two huge white
\nbanners remained on Jl. Ridwan Rais and Jl. Prapatan which
\nstated: \"Slander, Blasphemy, Revenge. Be careful! Neo 1965\" and
\n\"Don't only talk about politics, people are hungry!\"<\/p>\n
Toha Reno, a city public order official, said that so far
\nthere had been no official instruction to begin removing the
\nbanners. \"I think some of the banners have been taken away by
\nthose who put them up in the first place,\" he told The Jakarta
\nPost.<\/p>\n
He said that the displaying of banners, except for government
\npurposes, was prohibited on major thoroughfares and areas near
\nthe National Monument (Monas) park in Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The Monas park has been declared a \"banner-free\" area, he
\nsaid, adding that displaying banners in other areas required
\npermission from the administration.<\/p>\n
Toha admitted that it was a difficult task to put political
\nbanners out because officials were afraid of being involved in
\nthe pros or cons debate. \"That's why the action should be
\nintegrated with officials of the city's social and political
\ndirectorate as well,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Toha said he did not know which individuals or organizations
\nwere responsible for the banners.<\/p>\n
City councilor Saud Rahman has urged the administration to
\nremove the banners to comply with existing regulations.<\/p>\n
\"Besides being detrimental to the city's beauty, the banners
\n'war' has also created a feeling of insecurity among city
\nresidents,\" he said. (ind)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/authorities-to-remove-illegal-banners-from-streets-1447893297",
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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