Officers Remove Social Criticism Murals In Kebon Kacang Using Local People's Hands

One of the residents of Kebon Kacang erased the mural with black paint. (Photo: Rizky Sulistio/ VOI)

JAKARTA - Murals containing criticisms of the government with the words "We are hungry for God" and "The only thing that can be trusted from TV is the Adhan" on Jalan Kebon Kacang, Tanah Abang District, Central Jakarta.

The mural was removed by the community at the behest of the local security apparatus who carried out surveillance at the location.

The mural was removed by repainting the walls black. The coat of paint that was applied slowly closed the sentences on the mural on the dull colored wall.

According to the officer who was at the location, the mural was deleted because the writing didn't fit in the right place.

"The writing period is I'm Hungry for God. The writing is not appropriate. Criticism is fine," he told VOI at the location, Thursday, August 26.

However, when asked why it was the person who removed the residents, not the authorized officer, he was reluctant to explain.

"We'd better delete it than leave it alone. This is an individual wall of vacant land," he said.

Separately, the Head of Tanah Abang Sub-district, Yassin Pasaribu, said that his party was still coordinating with related parties.

"Wait a minute, we are still coordinating with the owner of the wall. Because it's not in the social and public facilities. We are waiting for the owner of the wall," he said when contacted by VOI, Thursday, August 26.

Yassin said, later if it is deleted and the results are getting worse, how will it be.

"Later, if it is deleted and then it becomes ugly (there are complaints) what?, because it is people's land," he said.

However, the local security forces continued to remove the mural with black watercolor. The activity was also escorted by the Central Jakarta Metro Police Intel unit.