TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat said the “Splash After Class” Bikini Party for graduated high school students that was to be held at The Media Hotel & Towers has crossed the line. Although the event was finally canceled, Djarot said, the event organizer had intended reap business profits from the National Examinations.

“It has gone too far. The event organizer has crossed the line,” Djarot told Tempo at City Hall on Friday, April 24, 2015.

According to Djarot, education should not only emphasize academic achievement but also character improvement. Djarot added that schools must pay attention to students’ character improvement that suits the eastern culture of Indonesian’s heritage. Djarot also deplored the negative impact of western lifedata-style as a result of the globalization.

“It’s a western culture that goes against our character as Indonesian,” Djarot said.

Earlier, public and education observers criticized the bikini party invitation for students of 15 high schools in Jakarta and Bekasi. The event was later canceled by the hotel who claimed that they only served as the facilitator of the event.

AISHA SHAIDRA