Medan is probably the only city where a simple decal is treated like a stock share. At one time, decals were highly sought after at a steep price. But now, after the clash between the police and members of the 100th Airborne Battalion two weeks ago, decals bearing a symbol of a military organization or the police have lost all their value. These days, no car sporting such a decal dares to show itself in the city.

In the past, nearly all Me