A Mural Depicting Jokowi In South Jakarta Has Been Removed, Deputy Governor Riza Patria: We Suggest Constructive Content

Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Ahmad Riza Patrai (Photo: Twitter @ArizaPatria)

JAKARTA - A mural depicting President Joko Widodo on Jalan Kebagusan Raya, Jagakarsa, South Jakarta has been removed.

In response to this, the Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta, Ahmad Riza Patria, asked the public to create a mural with constructive image content.

"We respect the creativity of the young generation, but we recommend that the murals are good and have constructive content", said Riza at DKI City Hall, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, September 1.

Riza admitted that the government understands that the emergence of murals such as graffiti and writing on the walls is a form of public expression. However, he thought that it would be better if the mural did not have a tendentious tone and was placed in a location that did not violate the rules.

"So, we ask the public, please be creative and innovate creatively by doing murals, graffiti, as long as it is done in a good place, not disturbing, the content is positive, constructive, we can understand", he said.

It was previously known that a mural on Jalan Kebagusan Raya showed a picture of the head of a man suspected of being the President giving a thumbs up surrounded by a number of writings. Right on the left side, there is an inscription "Aku Nyerah Pakdeh (I Give Up, Sir)".

Then, on the right side, there is the inscription "Mikirin Rakyat Sampai Kurus (Thinking about the people so you get skinny)". Then, there were also smaller texts "Okelah 3 Periode (Okay 3 Periods)" and "Indonesia Wajib Ok, enggak oke..? BORGOL. (Indonesians must always agree, if not? Handcuffs will talk)".

The current condition of a mural that is thought to resemble Jokowi's figure after being removed by an unknown person on Jalan Kebagusan Raya, Jagakarsa, South Jakarta, Wednesday, September 1. (Photo: Antara)

However, on this day the mural was removed with white paint. The Head of the South Jakarta Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP), Ujang Hermawan, confirmed that his party was not the one who removed the mural.

"I got information from journalist friends (there is a mural similar to Jokowi), my subordinate checked the location (in the afternoon), it really does exist (the mural), but at night, someone removed it with white paint, how come?", said Ujang when confirmed.

Ujang emphasized that if there are things that smell like racial intolerance and disturb public order, the members will be disciplined. However, in this case, there are no members who carry out enforcement.

Ujang said the mural was removed by local residents. "Yes, maybe the locals did it", he said.