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Jakarta Post

Car Free Day initiator wants ‘Kita Indonesia’ organizer to apologize

News Desk (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Mon, December 5, 2016

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Car Free Day initiator wants ‘Kita Indonesia’ organizer to apologize National figures grouped as the Diversity Alliance release birds into the sky during the "Kita Indonesia" parade during Car Free Day on Dec. 4. The Golkar Party and NasDem Party were among the initiators of the parade. (Antara/Yudhi Mahatma)

T

he “Kita Indonesia” (We are Indonesia) cultural parade held on Sunday during Car Free Day (CFD) violated the “no politics” rule of the weekly event as it featured political parties’ logos and flags, one of CFD initiators, Ahmad Safrudin, said Monday in a press conference.

“The event did not run as promised and we’re disappointed,” Safrudin said.

Safrudin said he wanted the organizer to apologize to the public for violating the principles of CFD.

He said that since its beginning 14 years ago, CFD had been dedicated to providing public space for people to socialize, but during the “Kita Indonesia” parade political speeches were delivered.

“CFD is an amicable public space for people to socialize in Jakarta, which has a dire shortage of public space,” he said.

He hoped that such a violation would not be repeated and CFD events in the future would stay true to their original purpose: to provide a public space, to reduce the use of motor vehicles and to enhance the city’s air quality.

The Jakarta Post observed that most participants of the event were wearing Golkar Party and NasDem Party attributes, with some bringing along flags and banners bearing the parties’ names.

According to Jakarta Gubernatorial Decree No. 12/2016 on the Car Free Day Program, Car Free Day should not be used for any political campaigns. 

In March this year, Safrudin also raised the concerns about the purpose of CFD after Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama supporters organization Teman Ahok argued with supporters of the Jakarta Council over the 2016 city budget. (evi)

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