Local language campaigns for billboards go on
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)