Are donations compulsory?

Are donations compulsory?

From Kompas

What happened to me on Nov. 24 reminds me of compulsory donations through the collections for the ninth SEA Games in 1997.

On that day, I had purchased two tickets at Studio 4 of the Grand Widjaya Cineplex, South Jakarta, for Rp 35,000. I handed over a Rp 50,000 bill, expecting Rp 15,000 in change.

Without even a single word, however, the woman behind the ticket counter instead returned Rp 13,000, along with two receipts for the Indonesian Red Cross (South Jakarta branch) bearing the signature of South Jakarta Mayor Abdul Mufti.

I am less concerned about the relatively small amount deducted, but I am really annoyed with this method of collecting funds. I decided not to protest, as the queue behind me was quite long.

The Indonesian Red Cross, as well as the cinema management, should avoid enforcing such compulsory donations, which are no better than the way street hoodlums use force against people. Most importantly, I also wonder about the accountability of the funds as, like we say, money does not make any sounds.

IRWANTO

Jakarta