Toll road fee hike will burden public<\/p>\n
From Media Indonesia<\/p>\n
As reported in the media, the government intends to raise the
\ntoll road fees, especially for particular sections, such as
\nJagorawi (which should actually be exempted from the toll) and
\nCikampek. The plan has come as a great surprise and sparked
\ndebate in the community. The Indonesian Consumer Foundation
\n(YLKI) would like to comment as follows:<\/p>\n
1. The plan does not show that the government has a sense of
\ncrisis. If the tolls are raised, the impact will be felt not only
\nby public transportation companies and car owners, but also
\nconsumers in general. An increase in the tolls may be used by
\npublic transportation companies to justify illegally raising
\ntheir fares.<\/p>\n
2. The reason given, that the present tolls are not high enough
\nto cover operational costs, defies common sense. In fact, the
\nfunds collected by toll road managing companies have never been
\ntransparently accounted (through publication in the media, for
\nexample). In line with Law No. 8\/1999 on consumer protection,
\nconsumers reserve the right to obtain information. Therefore,
\ntoll road managing companies and the government have violated the
\nconsumer right to information because they have never publicly
\nmade a transparent account about how much money has been acquired
\nfrom the operation of toll roads and how the money has been
\nspent.<\/p>\n
3. YLKI also regrets the attitude shown by Commission IV of the
\nHouse of Representatives, which simply approved the plan without
\nfirst involving consumers. As people's representatives,
\nlegislators should prioritize the public's aspirations. In this
\ncase, YLKI questions the independence of Commission IV.<\/p>\n
4. Article 2 of Law No. 13\/1980, concerning the social function
\nof roads, on roads stresses that roads play a significant role in
\neconomic, political, sociocultural and defense and security
\naspects and must be used for the maximum benefit of the people.<\/p>\n
On the basis of the above, YLKI urges that the plan to raise
\ntolls, although only for certain segments of the toll roads,
\nshould be postponed until the burden of the people has gradually
\nlessened. An increase in the tolls will only contribute to a
\nhigh-cost economy, exacerbating the burden of the people already
\nsqueezed by the crisis.<\/p>\n
INDAH SUKSMANINGSIH<\/p>\n
YLKI chairwoman<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/toll-road-fee-hike-will-burden-public-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }