Don't be sarcastic!

Don't be sarcastic!

I am responding to Mr. Mark Riddett's letter to The Jakarta
Post of Nov. 10 edition, titled Income tax for expatriates.

The issue to impose 35 percent income tax to expatriates to me
is ridiculous. Not because I'm married to an expatriate, but I
just don't trust the Indonesian government will spend it. I doubt
it will go to the welfare of the people in this case. I agree
with Mr. Riddett.

But I was shocked with the way Mr. Riddett expressed his
protest. He shouldn't have attacked someone's physical
disability, no matter the latter was a president or an ordinary
person. As a westerner, Mr. Riddett, I think you should have
known better. Besides, it was wrong to address this case just to
Mr. Abdurrahman Wahid. As a president, he does not deal with this
(unpopular) issue by himself. This issue has to go to the House
of Representatives first and becomes a public debate.

As the one who will suffer a financial loss, it is okay to
oppose it. But it has nothing to do with Mr. Wahid's poor vision.
Please don't be sarcastic!

I have no comment about your objection of the US$50 entry visa
for tourists visiting Indonesia but just for your information,
Mr. Riddett, I have to pay more than $50 every time I visit my
husband's country in West Europe.

LILI SOEMPENO-BRADLEY

Jakarta