The Mural 'God, We Are Hungry' Will Be Removed, Government: Creating Mural Is Okay, As Long As The Message Is Not Provocative

A mural in the Kebon Kacang area, Central Jakarta. (Photo: Rizky Sulistio/ VOI)

JAKARTA - The Central Jakarta City Government will remove a mural that contains criticisms of the government on Jalan Kebon Kacang, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta.

Central Jakarta Civil service police (Satpol PP) Head Bernard Tambunan said his party was still coordinating with Tanah Abang District regarding the plan to remove the mural of social criticism.

"The meeting will be held in Tanah Abang District first", he said when confirmed by VOI, Thursday, August 26.

Separately, the Deputy Mayor of Central Jakarta, Irwandi, admitted that he had coordinated with the Tanah Abang sub-district head Yassin Pasaribu. The sub-district head has also stated that he will immediately remove the mural with cement.

"We do not support such a mural. The municipal government does not allow it", he said, Thursday, August 26.

Irwandi said that his party supports murals on the streets of Jakarta as long as they are made with good messages. He gave an example, the mural containing positive messages in the Kendal tunnel was actually facilitated by the government.

However, he emphasized that the Central Jakarta City Government would not allow provocative murals.

"If we allow all expressions like that, later in Jakarta, we will be hungry and need to eat. It's not educating", he said.

The mural in Kebon Kacang in question shows an image of two television sets side by side, with different writings.

The first television reads "The only thing that can be trusted from TV is the Adhan", while the second one reads "We are hungry for God".

Then on the right side of the two televisions, there is an inscription that is satirical to the government. The article advised that the government and officials should not be afraid of murals.

"Don't be afraid, gentlemen, this is just street art", the caption reads.