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)