Bathtub-plus in Kijangs

I refer to the letter Carrying bathtubs in Kijangs from the communications manager, Toyota, published on Sept. 2. I want to urge him very strongly to have the certificates for Kijangs amended by the proper authorities to increase their carrying capacity by an additional, say, 200 kg.

Having driven long distances with well over the proposed new figure, both live weight (12 persons, at an average 65 kgs) and dead weight (cement and other materials for the building of my home), I can confirm what thousands of other owners know -- that the Kijang is completely stable and safe at all speeds when carrying such weight.

In relation to what is carried, apart from weight the other factor is the driver's ability to see properly. However, when stopped by police for a bribe, no mention is made of the inability, perhaps, to see through the rear view mirror; only to the fact that you are carrying goods. I assume that every owner carrying his supermarket purchases home is liable to such persecution, or someone traveling to the airport.

It is very important to Toyota, in their future sales, and to owners, that the permit they now have be changed (the bribe for this might only be a few million rupiah) and that the National Police chief direct his men to stop harassing Kijang owners for carrying their own personal goods in their own vehicles.

W. WALLER, Cianjur, West Java