No extra fees for PLN customers: YLKI<\/p>\n
Urip Hudiono, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) says that electricity
\ncustomers should not be burdened with additional fees for the
\ninspection of electrical facilities, if they have already paid a
\ncontractor to do the job.<\/p>\n
Head of consumer advocacy at the foundation Tulus Abadi, said
\nthat many electricity contractors included the inspection of
\nfacilities as part of their service and overall fee.<\/p>\n
\"If the jobs of installation and inspection are to be made
\nseparate tasks, then customers should be billed separately for
\neach,\" he said, on Friday.<\/p>\n
Tulus said that customers pay a total fee of up to Rp 360,000
\n(some US$40) to contractors for the installation and inspection
\nof the standard 450 volt-ampere (VA) power supply to their house.<\/p>\n
\"Customers should, therefore, refuse to pay any extra fee for
\ninspection, unless it is deducted from the overall fee, or it is
\npaid for by the contractors.\"<\/p>\n
The government appointed on Monday the National Committee for
\nthe Safety of Electrical Installation (Konsuil) to inspect the
\nhouses of prospective customers of state-owned power firm PT PLN,
\nand any existing ones who were interested in the service. It will
\ncharge customers between Rp 40,000 and Rp 60,000, based on the
\nvoltage they use.<\/p>\n
Konsuil's members include PT PLN, the Indonesian Association
\nof Electrical and Mechanical Contractors (AKLI), the
\nCommunications Forum of the Electrical Equipment Industry
\n(FKIPTL) and the Consultative Committee of Indonesian Electricity
\nConsumers.<\/p>\n
Tulus also questioned Konsuil's appointment, as Ministerial
\nDecree No. 437\/K\/30\/MEM\/2003 on electrical installation
\nstipulates that its members must be independent and accredited by
\nthe National Accreditation Office (KAN).<\/p>\n
\"We object to Konsuil's monopolization of electrical
\ninstallation,\" he said. \"We also object if it is used as a
\ncommercial ploy, in the name of customer safety.\"<\/p>\n
Tulus, therefore, suggested the government issue a clear
\nregulation specifying guidelines for such committees and the fees
\nthey impose on customers.<\/p>\n
He further said the government should strictly monitor the
\nquality of materials and equipment used.<\/p>\n
\"The government should supervise contractors to ensure that
\nthey use materials and equipment that fulfill PLN's standards,
\nand sanction any violators,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Jakarta Fire Department data shows that faulty wiring caused
\nbetween 45 percent and 52 percent of fires in the city in the
\nlast seven years.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/no-extra-fees-for-pln-customers-ylki-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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