Salemba Prison Prisoners Finally Join The Pinang Climbing Competition After 3 Years Of Pandemic Period

The Pinang Climbing Race at the Class IIA Correctional Institution (Lapas) Salemba. (Photo: Rizki Sulistio/VOI)

JAKARTA - Hundreds of inmates of the Class IIA Salemba Penitentiary (Lapas) seemed enthusiastic about participating in the betel nut climbing competition at the celebration of the 78th Indonesian Independence Day on Thursday, August 17.

Head of Class IIA Salemba Headquarters, Yogyakarta Rizanto, said the competition was held after three years during the pandemic, there were no activities in prisons. The Pinang climbing competition was held at the request of the prisoners.

"We invite the lively competition of the 17's whose sport is traditional," Yogyakarta told reporters, Thursday, August 17.

The competitions being held are pinang climbing and pillow bangs. Seen, the inmates took part in the competition with enthusiasm.

"The pinang climbing and pillow banging competitions that we put forward. So that they can participate in enlivening this competition," he said.

Each betel nut climbing team contains 6 to 10 inmates who participate in the competition. In this year's betel nut climbing competition, there are 10 representative teams from each floor who follow the length of the betel nut.

"As a gift, the inmates will get their daily necessities. The prize is bath soap, washing soap, drinks, Indomie, and vouchers shopping at cooperatives. The form is voucher, not money," he said.

In addition to pinang climbing and pillow bangs, the inmates also participated in other competitions, namely eating crackers, pulling mines, and sack racing.