Repainted Tebet Zebra Crossing by Residents to Be Removed, Deemed Non-Compliant with Standards

Jakarta’s Road and Bridge Service will erase the zebra crossing in the Tebet area, South Jakarta, which was repainted by residents and several graffiti artists, as it is deemed non-compliant with standards.

In addition to the black-and-white colours, the zebra crossing was adorned with colourful images using spray paint, including Pac-Man game illustrations.

Furthermore, the overly busy use of colours is feared to disrupt drivers’ concentration on the road.

“Yes, it will definitely be done soon. The Road and Bridge Service will handle it,” said the Head of the South Jakarta Road and Bridge Sub-Department, Rifki Rismal, when contacted on Sunday (29/3/2026).

“Technically, it is not permitted (the colourful elements). Because overly busy and coloured road markings can disrupt drivers’ concentration,” Rifki explained.

Rifki stated that the zebra crossing was indeed scheduled for repainting this year.

This is because the road arrangement work at the location was only completed at the end of 2025.

“Road marking work is done when the asphalt condition is fully mature and compacted. So, it is only planned to be remarked this year,” he said.

However, Rifki did not specify exactly when the removal and repainting process would take place.

Meanwhile, Ijoel, the resident who initiated the colourful zebra crossing, claimed to have considered the colour composition used.

He said the action was a form of criticism over residents’ frustrations with the crossing facilities at the location that had not been repainted for a long time.

“Because there are many church congregants nearby as well as students, they reported to me about the zebra crossing, which has been faded since last year. Then, a month ago, there was content from Cecil (a social media account), and it turned out the zebra crossing still wasn’t there,” Ijoel revealed when contacted separately.

According to him, the main function of the zebra crossing was prioritised with more dominant white colours.

Meanwhile, the Pac-Man illustrations created together with art activists were merely an artistic touch.

The primary goal was to urge the government to pay more attention to public facilities, particularly pedestrian safety.