Explanation of phone tariff hike sought

Explanation of phone tariff hike sought

JAKARTA (JP): City Council will invite executives of the
state-owned telecommunications operator PT Telkom to explain
their decision to hike tariffs for local long-distance calls 21
fold.

Representatives from the Indonesian Consumers Foundation,
would also be invited to attend the meeting, head of Commission D
for development affairs, Ali Wongso Sinaga, said on Wednesday.

"We will push Telkom to hear the people's aspiration. We have
an obligation to challenge (the decision), as it is Jakartans and
residents of surrounding areas who will largely be affected by
the tariff hike," he said.

As reported earlier, the government -- with the approval of
the House of Representatives -- increased telephone rates
nationwide by 24 percent beginning Feb. 1.

Telkom "unfairly" implemented the new tariff system which
raised 21 fold the rate for calls made during peak hours within
the greater Jakarta area.

According to Sinaga, Telkom should not burden the community
because of its own financial losses.

He supported a proposal made by certain parties to boycott
telephone use.

Head of the Indonesian Democratic Party faction, Lukman
Mokoginta shared the stance.

"I myself will do the same thing."

Foundation chairwoman, Tini Hadad, told The Jakarta Post on
Wednesday that the organization had collected 10,000 signatures
opposing the tariff hike.

"We will meet Minister of Communication Giri Suseno
Hadihardjono in the near future to present the signatures," she
said. (ind)