Parties' flags to start flying in city on May 19

JAKARTA (JP): The city administration will officially hoist flags of the 48 political parties contesting the June 7 general election on May 19, the first day of the two-week campaigning period, an official said on Thursday.

Head of the city's supplies office Dadang Ruskandar said 5,184 party flags and 216 national flags would be displayed at 108 locations on main thoroughfares and streets.

"The administration has set aside Rp 2 billion (US$231,000) for the flag project," he said, adding funds were taken from the city budget.

It works out to a cost of Rp 370,370 for each flag.

Dadang said the project, including the supply and hoisting of the flags, was offered to the public through a bidding process on Thursday in which at least four private firms were involved.

Winning bidders will be announced on April 26, he said.

"The winner of the flag project could be more than one company. What's important here is that the flags should be completed on May 17."

He said flags of each of the 48 parties plus two of the national red-and-white flags would be hoisted at each of the locations.

Each flagpole will be separated by a distance of four meters.

The administration earlier announced the designation of 200 spots.

"We later decided to lessen the number of the spots for the sake of efficiency," Dadang said.

He said he could not reveal the locations until the completion of the evaluation by the city parks agency.

A member of his staff said the flags would be different sizes, depending on the locations, such as 1.8 meters by 2.25 meters and 2.3 meters by 3.45 meters.

With the designation of the spots for the party flags, no political parties will be allowed to hoist their flags or place banners at the locations.

The decision is intended to prevent competition to put up the parties' attributes which could spoil the city's image. (ind)