Expats in E.Kalimantan to pay fee

BALIKPAPAN, East Kalimantan: Expatriates working and living in Balikpapan must obtain an ID card and pay US$300 a year to the city, home to offices of several foreign oil and gas companies.

The requirement is part of a new municipal regulation on the management of the city population, said Balikpapan mayor Imdaad Hamid on Friday. He did not say when the ruling was issued.

"The $300 must be paid by foreign workers in Balikpapan who normally work in the oil and gas sector. It is small compared with their salaries of $2,500 to $10,000 per month," he said.

The expatriate community, he said, "accepted" the requirement after earlier protesting it did not conform to the nationwide policy. Companies employing expatriates already pay $100 a month in tax for each foreigner.

The Bontang liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant is located in East Kalimantan, processing gas from a number of reserves run by different foreign oil and gas companies. Their offices are mainly located in Balikpapan. -- Antara