Response To Damage To The 2024 Election Billboards In West Lombok, Mataram Police: Not Destruction, Only Ordered

Illustration of campaign attributes or props is installed on public roads. (ANTARA-Prasetia Fauzan)

JAKARTA - The Head of the Mataram City Police (Kapolresta), Commissioner (Kombes) Pol Mustofa responded to the issue of destroying billboards of a number of legislative candidates (caleg) in the Suranadi area, West Lombok Regency.

"So, from the results of the meeting in Suranadi, it was actually not a destruction of billboards, but just being put in order," said Kombes Pol. Mustofa in Mataram, Wednesday, November 22, was confiscated by Antara.

According to him, the issue that arose in his jurisdiction was due to a lack of communication between billboard owners and village government officials.

"So, the village lowered the billboards because there was no coordination before," he said.

The reason the village government lowered billboards, he said, was because they were worried that it would create a negative perception in the community, especially preventing accusations of political affiliation between legislative candidates and village government officials.

"Especially if billboards, banners, or banners are installed near the location of the village office, this could certainly trigger multiple interpretations of the village government," he said.

With issues like this, Mustofa expects the public, especially the legislative candidates and the winning team to further improve communication with various parties.

"If there are legislative candidates who want to install campaign attributes, please coordinate with local village officials and the local Panwasdes so that they can be directed which points are allowed," he said.