YLKI picks holes in government's plan to hike passport fee<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI)
\ndenounced on Monday the government's plan to raise passport
\nprocessing fees later this month.<\/p>\n
New YLKI chairwoman Indah Suksmaningsih said the government's
\ndecision lacked transparency and obstructed the public's right to
\nknow the reasons behind the increase.<\/p>\n
\"We never know how much money is needed to issue a passport,\"
\nIndah said after being installed as the non-governmental
\norganization's leader to replace Tini Hadad.<\/p>\n
The hike will range from 75 percent to 400 percent, setting
\nexpenditures at between Rp 75,000 and Rp 650,000 (from US$11.20
\nto $97).<\/p>\n
The immigration directorate general announced a varied
\npassport fee hike on June 3, but delayed it the following day due
\nto widespread criticism. Many said the increase was untimely
\nbecause Indonesia was still experiencing an economic crisis.<\/p>\n
The increase was attributed to the soaring cost of paper.<\/p>\n
\"The government has always laid the burden on the public.
\nBefore asking for the increase, the government should prove it's
\nalready efficient in processing the passport.\"<\/p>\n
Indah said problems in processing the passport lay with the
\ngovernment, which were highlighted in a recently reported
\nscandal.<\/p>\n
\"How come the foreign affairs ministry and industry and trade
\nministry were unaware of passport misuse?\" she said.<\/p>\n
Gatra newsweekly reported in its latest edition that 300
\nillegal Indonesian workers in the United States were using blue
\npassports, documents designated for state officials, from the two
\nministries.<\/p>\n
Former YLKI chairwoman Tini concurred that transparency was
\nessential.<\/p>\n
\"We could understand the hike if we are made aware of the
\nreasons. The government should announce a detailed explanation of
\nthe costs needed to issue a passport,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Indonesian public services costs are the lowest of Southeast
\nAsian countries, but Tini said it should not be the main
\njustification for a hike.<\/p>\n
\"We cannot simplify it. We have to compare income per capita
\nof the countries before concluding that public service expenses
\nin a certain country are cheap or costly,\" said Tini.<\/p>\n
The issuance of passports is among the problems faced by
\nIndonesian migrant workers, particularly housemaids. There are
\nwidespread reports of workers having their wages cut to pay for
\nimmigration expenses. (05)<\/p>",
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