Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan instructed his subordinates to once again raise the flags of Asian Games participants that had been taken down in Penjaringan, North Jakarta, on Tuesday, following criticism on social media of the quality of the flags and their bamboo poles.

Kompas.com reported on Tuesday that dozens of flags of countries participating in the Games were seen flying in Penjaringan and Kali Besar, West Jakarta. The flags were said to be of poor quality, while the flagpoles were slanted and irregularly spaced. Penjaringan district head Muhammad Andri said the flags had been put up by local residents.

Pictures of the flags quickly went viral and the public responded negatively to them on social media, prompting the district head to have them removed and replaced with better quality flags.

Anies said on Tuesday that he had instructed his subordinates to put the flags back as they had been put up by residents to welcome the Asian Games, and their efforts should be appreciated.

“Don’t stop residents [from putting up flags] or belittle them. Let’s allow people to sincerely celebrate the Asian Games in any way they can,” Anies said in his statement, adding that he encouraged people in different areas of the city to copy what had been done by the residents of Penjaringan.

“I hope the simple bamboo flagpoles and flags can inspire other residents to decorate their villages to welcome guests who will come to Jakarta,” Anies said.

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