Red a worrying color in C. Java

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)