Graffiti contest

A number of high school students climb a wall to paint graffiti in a contest at Grogol in West Jakarta, which is sponsored by the city administration.

The administration offered cash prizes of Rp 100,000 (US$45) to the winners yesterday.

The city administration has built walls in many public places throughout Jakarta in order to channel Jakartan adolescents' hobby of making graffiti.

Yesterday's competition marked the inauguration of graffiti walls in Jakarta's five mayoralties, Tangerang and Bekasi.

The ceremonies were led by top government and military officials. Governor Surjadi Soedirdja officiated at one near the Senen shopping complex, and city military chief Maj. Gen. Wiranto at one near the Grogol bus terminal.

The city administration has long declared war against graffiti, which, they say, makes Jakarta ugly.

Surjadi said that the walls are not permanent and will be destroyed in the future because they also make the city even more ugly. (bsr/yns)