Authorities to remove illegal banners from streets

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration will remove illegal banners displaying political messages which have been placed on major streets throughout the city, Deputy Governor for Administrative Affairs Abdul Kahfi said over the weekend.

Kahfi said the clean-up was necessary because the banners presence detracted from the city's beauty.

"People are not allowed to display banners wherever they like without abiding by existing regulations," he said. "That's why I will instruct my staff to remove the banners as soon as possible."

He did not however say when the clean-up campaign would start.

Banners commenting on calls to investigate former president Soeharto's wealth and bring him to trial for alleged abuse of power during his 32 year rule have appeared on the city's streets since he resigned from the presidency on May 21.

One of the areas where political banners are most visible is near the statue of Pak Tani (near Jl. Prapatan and Jl. Arif Rahman Hakim) in Central Jakarta, where 10 vie for the attention of passing members of the public.

The slogans emblazoned on the different colored cloths read: "Stop persecuting former president Soeharto and avoid bloodshed"; "Be united Habibie, Mega, Amien Rais -- the people are hungry", in reference to the new President and two prominent opposition figures and; "Investigate Soeharto's wealth and try him".

Similar banners can also be seen in other areas, including on Jl. Diponegoro in Central Jakarta, and Jl. Jend. Sudirman and Pasar Minggu in South Jakarta.

Some of the banners disappeared yesterday, but two huge white banners remained on Jl. Ridwan Rais and Jl. Prapatan which stated: "Slander, Blasphemy, Revenge. Be careful! Neo 1965" and "Don't only talk about politics, people are hungry!"

Toha Reno, a city public order official, said that so far there had been no official instruction to begin removing the banners. "I think some of the banners have been taken away by those who put them up in the first place," he told The Jakarta Post.

He said that the displaying of banners, except for government purposes, was prohibited on major thoroughfares and areas near the National Monument (Monas) park in Central Jakarta.

The Monas park has been declared a "banner-free" area, he said, adding that displaying banners in other areas required permission from the administration.

Toha admitted that it was a difficult task to put political banners out because officials were afraid of being involved in the pros or cons debate. "That's why the action should be integrated with officials of the city's social and political directorate as well," he said.

Toha said he did not know which individuals or organizations were responsible for the banners.

City councilor Saud Rahman has urged the administration to remove the banners to comply with existing regulations.

"Besides being detrimental to the city's beauty, the banners 'war' has also created a feeling of insecurity among city residents," he said. (ind)