Wed, 23 Aug 1995

Local language campaigns for billboards go on

JAKARTA (JP): The crackdown on billboards and other signs using foreign words will continue next week after being suspended for several days during the official celebration of the 50th anniversary of Indonesia's independence.

Harry Soetjipto, chief officer of the City Office for Public Order, said yesterday that the operation would be conducted on main streets in the areas that have been left untouched during past operations; from the Blok M area in South Jakarta to Pasar Ikan in North Jakarta. The operation will also be carried out in other parts of the city, including Jl. Pramuka, Jl. Diponegoro and Jl. Cawang.

The city administration deployed 213 officers on Aug.1 to cover up city billboards and other signs using foreign words.

As of Aug. 10, at least 909 foreign-language billboards, company plaques and other signs had been covered with white cloth by the officers.

Harry said that, as of yesterday, none of the owners of the offending signs had been punished in relation to their transgressions.

"Those whose displays have been covered with white cloth have three more days to change the foreign names or words," Harry said.

He said that 593 nameplates and billboards had been registered as using foreign words, of which 109 have already been removed by their owners, 82 have been changed to the Indonesian language and a further 61 remain covered with cloth.

Regarding the city administration's warning to the businessmen not to use the names of national heroes for commercial purposes, including as company names, Harry said he was still waiting for further instructions from the governor.

"However, we will explain this matter to the businessmen tomorrow," Harry said.

Head of the City Security and Order Office Priyono was quoted as saying that the city administration would soon launch an operation to remove company signs and billboards throughout the city bearing the names of national heroes.

He said his office was currently collecting data on companies using the names of national heroes, including Gajah Mada Plaza, Gajah Mada Motor, Bakmi Gajah Mada, Pusat Perbelanjaan Jayakarta, Wisma Hayam Wuruk and Hotel Gajah Mada. (01)