Bekasi govt seizes banners

BEKASI: The public order officers confiscated on Friday thousands of street banners, including a large one containing a holiday greeting from the Bekasi mayor and his deputy.

"We have asked the owners of the banners to take them down, because affixing banners to a main thoroughfare is a violation of Bylaw No. 44/1998 on public order," head of the public order team, Hudoyo, was quoted by Antara as saying.

Bekasi Council member Syafrudin said the council supported the action, which would "maintain the town's aesthetics," he said.

"The banners could also endanger road users because they could distract motorists," he said. -- JP