Maluku government owes PLN Rp 60b<\/p>\n
M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post\/Ambon<\/p>\n
Twenty-seven schools in Ambon were left in the dark recently
\nafter state electricity company PLN cut off their power over
\nunpaid bills, and now it has emerged that the Maluku provincial
\nadministration may find itself in the same situation.<\/p>\n
Claiming not to have the money to pay the estimated Rp 60
\nbillion (US$6.6 million) it owes PLN, the Maluku administration
\nhas sent a letter to the minister of mines and energy in Jakarta
\nrequesting debt relief.<\/p>\n
The secretary to the Maluku administration, Said Assagaf, said
\nhis office had discussed the matter during a recent gubernatorial
\nworking meeting with the financial minister, home affairs
\nminister and the head of the National Development Planning Board.<\/p>\n
At the meeting, the Maluku administration said it was unable
\nto settle the bills because of limited funds. It also claimed the
\noverdue bills were the result of electricity usage by refugees
\nwho have occupied public and government buildings since sectarian
\nviolence in the area broke out in 1999.<\/p>\n
\"The refugee problem is not only the responsibility of the
\nlocal administration but also of the central government.
\nElectricity use has increased because of the refugees,\" Said told
\nThe Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
He said his office had also conveyed the matter to the finance
\nminister, requesting the overdue bills be erased.<\/p>\n
In response, the National Development Planning Board suggested
\nthe Maluku administration make a request for funds from Special
\nPresidential Instruction Fund No. 6\/2003 on post-conflict
\nrehabilitation in Maluku and North Maluku.<\/p>\n
The head of the Ambon branch of the PLN, Suhud Setiabudi,
\nconfirmed the administration owed about Rp 60 billion. \"Our
\nability to provide services and distribute power to customers has
\nbeen interrupted due to this matter.\"<\/p>\n
He also said the branch was suffering a deficit of more than
\nRp 9 billion a month because customers were paying far less than
\nit cost to generate and distribute power.<\/p>\n
\"We hope customers prepare power generators so their
\nactivities are not interrupted during power stoppages. We also
\nhope customers settle their bills as soon as possible,\" said
\nSuhud.<\/p>\n
Power was cut to 27 schools in Ambon that owed a total of Rp
\n375.4 million ($41,711) in unpaid electric bills dating back
\nseveral years.<\/p>",
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