Jakarta – An Indonesian mayor has ordered security officers in parts of the capital to go door-to-door on Independence Day to make sure people are flying the national flag.

Budiman Simarmata, acting mayor of South Jakarta, on Thursday cited a 1958 government regulation that it is the administration's right to urge residents to raise the flag, although there are no penalties for failing to do so.

"Residents should hoist the red and white flag three days before and three days after the Independence Day," he said in a phone interview.

Indonesia celebrates its break from the Dutch on Aug. 17, 1945, for several weeks each year, decking the streets in the national colors and holding concerts, fairs and parades.

Around 300 officers will be sent out in Simarmata's municipality of roughly 1.8 million people to persuade residents to show their patriotism, he said.

"We have to give the highest appreciation for our independence fought so hardly by our heroes," he said in a telephone interview. "I urge residents to report to the officers if there is anybody who did not raise the flag."