Red a worrying color in C. Java

PURWOKERTO, Central Java: People are scared to travel in government vehicles bearing red number plates during the election campaign that began yesterday.

Banyumas police chief Col. Binarto said over the weekend that he had refused dozens of requests from government agencies wanting to have their plate color changed from red to black.

Black is the color of privately-owned vehicles.

Vehicles bearing red number plates have been a target of vandalism during the recent violence in Central Java.

Binarto said the police turned down the requests because the applicants failed to meet basic requirements, such as approval from the provincial sociopolitical affairs department. (wah/pan)