Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Plantation Companies Association (GPPI) has appealed to the government to review its decision to raise progressive tax on palm oil exports to 20 percent. The increase in progressive tax could reduce oil palm plantation companies` and growers` income, GPPI Chairman Soejai Kartasasmita said on Wednesday.

After three years of deliberation, lawmakers endorsed Tuesday a revised shipping bill that will end decades of state monopoly on port ownership. The bill, however, has led thousands of state port workers to threaten strikes in the coming days. The bill will allow foreign and domestic private entities to operate ports in Indonesia without having to partner or seek the aid of state port operators PT Pelindo I, II and III, which partly function as port regulators, as well.