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n a bid to prevent senior students from scrawling on their uniforms on their last day of school, Governor Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo has initiated a new policy, urging students to wear traditional attire on their graduation day.

Writing on or spray-painting uniforms on the last day of high school has long been a tradition among Indonesian students as a way of expressing their freedom from school.

The governor launched his idea during a visit to SMK 13 vocational school in Palmerah, West Jakarta, on Wednesday.

'We are encouraging the students to don traditional attire during the announcement [of the national exam results] so they won't vandalize their uniforms,' Jokowi said.

The results of the national exams, which were held last month, are slated to be announced on May 24.

The policy will also apply on regular school days.

'We will try it out in selected schools first. If the students feel comfortable with it, we will apply it in all schools. I don't want us to lose our traditional customs because they form our national character,' Jokowi said.

Jakarta Education Agency head Taufik Yudi Mulyanto said that he would discuss the new policy with school principals in the capital. 'We will try applying the policy of wearing traditional attire once a week in the new academic year [starting in July] in addition to the existing policy,' he said.

The city administration has already introduced a policy of making civil servants wear traditional Betawi attire on Fridays. The attire comprises pastel-colored sadariah shirts, similar to koko (long-sleeved, collarless shirts), black trousers, peci (traditional velvet cap), sarongs and black shoes for men.

Female civil servants are expected to wear pastel-colored Betawi kebaya krancang (lace blouses) with either V-neck or shanghai collars, sarongs or dark trousers and black shoes. 'We could make students wear traditional Betawi attire one Friday but another region's traditional attire the following Friday. We'll see,' Taufik said.

Some students found the governor's new idea appealing. 'I think it's interesting. We will look different and unique,' Novita Sari, an SMK 13 student told The Jakarta Post.

'The idea of preserving our culture is reasonable. It's good,' another student, Chairunnisa, said.

During his visit, Jokowi also called on students from various schools across the capital who were on hand not to get involved in student brawls.

'We are all brothers and sisters, one city and one nation. We should spread positive energy,' he said.

After delivering his speech, Jokowi later gave away 20 bicycles for students who could answer
trivia questions.

'I want to promote cycling among students. It's healthy,' he said before leaving the school.