YLKI overwhelmed by complaints over stickers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Consumers Organization (YLKI) has
\nreceived more than 50 complaints in the last two days about the
\naggressive fund-raising method for the SEA Games.<\/p>\n
The foundation's chairwoman, Tini Hadad, said yesterday most
\nof the complaints were from mobile phone owners, water and
\nelectricity customers.<\/p>\n
"Mobile phone owners complained that their monthly bills
\nincluded Rp 2,500 for the Games, but they didn't receive
\nstickers," Tini said.<\/p>\n
Customers of state-owned electricity company said they were
\ntold to pay Rp 1,000 for the Games in addition to their monthly
\nbill, even though their house's electricity capacity was only 900
\nwatts.<\/p>\n
"Customers whose electricity's capacity is 900 watts are
\nexempted from the obligation," Tini said.<\/p>\n
She said people who did not want to pay for the stickers could
\nrefuse. "This is voluntary contribution," Tini said.<\/p>\n
The selling of Games stickers was legalized by a Ministry of
\nSocial Services decree No: BSS\/583\/XII\/96. The ministry appointed
\nPT Angkasa Ronagraha, a consortium headed by President Soeharto's
\nson Bambang Trihatmodjo, to raise Rp 35 billion (US$14.9 million)
\nto help finance the Rp 100 billion Games through the sale of
\nstickers.<\/p>\n
"Donations" are set at between Rp 1,000 and Rp 50,000 through
\nthe sale of stickers. However, many people have complained as the
\namounts are automatically included in their receipts for water,
\nelectricity and telephone bills. People are also charged a SEA
\nGames fee at entertainment centers.<\/p>\n
Supermarkets and department stores also charge consumers who
\nbuy goods worth more than Rp 50,000. Those applying for land
\ntitles are also subject to "donations".<\/p>\n
Deal<\/p>\n
According to the deal, the consortium collects the donations
\nfrom shops, restaurants and state-owned water and electricity
\ncompanies once every two weeks.<\/p>\n
YLKI executive director, Zumrotin K.S., said the foundation
\nwas currently circulating questionnaires on SEA Games donations
\nto mobile phone owners. "We expect to complete the polling this
\nweek and get results next Monday," she said.<\/p>\n
She said the organization did not only receive complaints from
\nwithin Jakarta, but also from other areas such as Lampung.<\/p>\n
"Water customers in Lampung were upset because they were asked
\nto pay for five stickers, starting March, instead of April,"
\nZumrotin said.<\/p>\n
South Kalimantan governor, Gusti Hasan Aman, said he had not
\nbeen officially informed of the collection of funds through
\nstickers. However, the consortium has started collecting the
\nfunds directly from customers' bills without prior notification.<\/p>\n
Sri Wahyuni, a telephone customer living in Rawa Barat
\nsubdistrict, South Jakarta, said she was forced to pay a Games
\ndonation as it was already included in her bill.<\/p>\n
"I hope that Telkom will explain to the customers because, as
\nfar as I know, those donating to the Games should get stickers in
\nreturn," Sri, a mother of three, said.<\/p>\n
Tukidjo, head of the Rawa Barat Post Office, confirmed that
\nmany people had raised complaints over the stickers.<\/p>\n
"I can't give them an answer because Telkom has not informed
\nme on the matter," Tukidjo said.<\/p>\n
Jakarta Telkom's spokesperson, Yorius Sumampauw, said the
\ncompany had received instructions from its central office to bill
\nits customers directly.<\/p>\n
He said that customers who refused to pay for the stickers
\ncould state their objection. "They can refuse to pay by reporting
\ntheir objection to the local officials in charge of their
\ntelephone bill payments," Yorius said.<\/p>\n
The officials would then pass the customers' objection to
\nTelkom, he said. (ste\/11)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ylki-overwhelmed-by-complaints-over-stickers-1447893297",
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