Signs of the Times

(10/21/2012)

Showing remarkable equality of treatment before the law, the State News Agency Antara reports that members of the Buleleng enforcement agency (Satpol Pamong Praja Kabupaten Buleleng) in north Bali forcibly removed announcement banners erected by the regency's Culture and Tourism Office (Disbudpar).

Banners advertising the Lovina Festival organized by Disbudpar were removed because they were installed in close proximity to the Singaraja’s Singa Ambara Statue, an area designated under law to remain free of advertising.

“If these banners are reinstalled, we will surely remove them again,” warned the chief of Satpol Pamong Praja - Buleleng, Putu Harthana.

Included in the job description of the Satpol Pamong Praja is the removal of roadside signs that fail to pay advertising taxes or are erected in areas designated to remain free of banners.

Harthana added: “I don’t care who you are, if you disturb the public peace and order, I will take the sign down.”