Jakarta – Veteran actor Pong Harjatmo, who was arrested after spray painting a protest message on the roof of Jakarta's Parliament Building, said he will not be stopped from continuing his "graffiti campaign" elsewhere.
Pong, 68, was arrested on Friday after spray painting the rooftop with the words "jujur" (honest), "tegas" (firm) and "adil" (fair).
"I won't stop. I am not allowed to do it here but I will do it elsewhere," Pong told the reporters at the Parliament building, according to news portal Detik.com. He said he would write a longer message next time.
"Just wait. I will write 'love your country, love your people and work for the people," Pong said.
A legislator from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Ganjar Pranowo, said Pong's protest was a criticism of the House of Representatives' (DPR) efficacy and veracity.
"This is a harsh criticism of us. This is a message for us not to play around, especially with our attendance," Ganjar said, referring to the newly issued attendance list of legislators which revealed that several lawmakers often skipped plenary sessions.
However, Ganjar said criticism should not be conducted in the form of spray painting the Parliament Building.
"Just tell us in a hearing, for example. Do not make any graffiti, even if it is to make us aware of the public's concern," Ganjar said.
Meanwhile, Pong has been released. His action was not considered to be a crime. "He didn't mean any harm. But if he had something to say to the legislators, he should have followed the right procedures. We also have actresses in the House," First Insp. Suharyanto, an officer at the DPR's security division said.
Pong was only asked to write in a statement that he would not repeat his actions. "If he tries this again, there will be legal implications," Suharyanto said.