TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria highlighted rampant buskers of the Betawi cultural icon dubbed ondel-ondel in the capital’s streets. He opined that their existence disturbs the public order.

“We have indeed seen quite a lot of ondel-ondel in the sides of the road disturbing the public order and traffic too because of its large size,” said Riza in Kamal Muara, Penjaringan, North Jakarta, on Sunday, March 28.

He underlined that the Betawi giant effigies should be appreciated and respected, instead of exploiting them to earn money. “It should not be used to make money by busking,” Riza added.

According to him, there were many buskers using ondel-ondel to make a living. The city administration through the Culture Agency planned to assist the street performers.

“The Social Agency has also listed citizens who needed assistance and will find a solution with the Manpower Agency as well as the Culture Agency and the Tourism Agency,” explained the Gerindra Party politician.

Previous reports suggested that the Jakarta Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) has started to impose sanctions on owners or people who rented ondel-ondel for street performances as stipulated in the Regional Regulation or Perda No. 8/2007 on public order.

Read: Ondel-Ondel 'Beggars' Soon to Be Cleared from Jakarta Streets: Satpol PP

LANI DIANA