Thu, 27 Nov 1997

Different exchange rate

I recently visited Indonesia and on arrival at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, I went to PT Artha Modern Center, an authorized money changer in the arrival hall.

I wanted to change sterling traveler checks and the rate I was given was Rp 4,000 to one pound sterling. The following day I went to Bank Bumi Daya in Jakarta to change another travelers check and the rate given by the bank was Rp 4,691 to one pound sterling.

I feel this unscrupulous activity at the airport should be dealt with as soon as possible. It hardly encourages visitors to Indonesia. The difference in the exchange rate was 17.27 percent.

I hope the relevant authorities will look into this and deal with PT Artha Modern Center accordingly.

ANDREW HARVIE-CLARK

Somerset, UK