Games coupons not compulsary

JAKARTA (JP): Jakartans can refuse to pay for National Games coupons, the deputy governor for social welfare affairs, R.S. Museno, said yesterday.

"People are not forced to buy the coupons. It is absolutely a voluntary activity," Museno said.

The coupons are being sold through various methods, including advertisements accompanying monthly telephone and electricity bills.

An assistant to the city secretary for social welfare, Soenarjudardji, said that people who are being forced to buy the coupons can report the matter to the city administration.

"Just report it to me. I also urge the sellers to ask consumers first whether they are willing to buy the coupons or not," he said.

However, he urged residents to participate in making the upcoming National Games successful by purchasing the coupons, which would help the administration's effort to collect funds for the event.

Soenarjudardji said that the coupons are not expensive and are only being sold to people who can afford their purchase.

Many people have been complaining that they were being forced to purchase the National Games coupons when paying their monthly telephone and electricity bills, as well as when parking at certain areas.

A man living in Bintaro Jaya housing complex in South Jakarta said the selling of the games coupon started two months ago without any notification.

"We agree to donate a small amount of money, but official announcement should have been made," said a private company employee, who asked to remain anonymous.

An employee of the city council's secretariat, who refused to be named, said that he was automatically being charged Rp 2,000 on his electricity bill for four coupons.

"The electric company's billing office didn't say anything about it. I didn't find out until I received my change and the bills," he said.

Another resident of Ciledug, Tangerang, West Java, said that an announcement could have been made by the city administration through TV stations. He said that to assume that everyone is capable of paying the coupon's fee is wrong.

"We have no choice but to pay for the coupons given to us when paying the electricity bill. Shall we argue with the official at the payment counter in front of dozens of people over Rp 500?," the man said.

The city administration cooperates with various offices, such as the state-owned electric company PT PLN and PT Telkom, to sell the coupon.

All city agencies are also obliged to sell the coupons to people who apply for, among other things, building development permits from the city development supervision agency.

The city needs Rp 31.5 billion (US$13.69 million) to finance the National Games, scheduled to be held this September. The city budget can cover only Rp 11 billion, while Rp 10.5 billion will come from sponsors.

"The rest, Rp 8 billion, is expected to come from the public through coupon selling," Museno said. (yns)