House owners given ultimatum

MEDAN, North Sumatra: The city administration has issued an ultimatum to homeowners along Medan's main roads to repaint their houses white, as part of the celebration to mark Indonesia's 50th independence anniversary, or face prosecution.

City chief spokesman Niwal Hasyim told Antara that the homeowners have had plenty of time because the instruction to have their houses painted white was issued in May.

Niwal cited a by-law, which allows the city administration to prosecute residents who ignore its orders.

The instruction calls on all homeowners to raise the red-and- white national flag, with specific measurements of 1.2 x 1.8 meters, up to between six and nine meters for houses, and up to 9 meters, 2 x 3 meters in size, for apartment and office buildings.

All vehicles must also hoist the national flag, measuring 20 cm x 30 cm, placed at the central front or the right-front part of the car. (emb)