Government's insensible plan

Government's insensible plan

From Kontan

I was deeply astonished to read the news report about the
customs laws, in which the government plans to impose a
fantastically high tax of 340 percent on the cement products. The
reasons for imposing such a high excise is that cement belongs to
the category of products that produce high pollutants.

I think this argument is quite naive and insensible. As far as
I know, the taxable goods are those whose distribution is limited
such as liquor and cigarettes. So, is distribution of cement
limited? If that is true, should the communities turn to wood for
building houses? What about the developers? How will they build
multi-story buildings?

Actually, waste from cement factories can be managed properly
so as not to do harm to the environment. Or, does the government
plan to impose the same high tax on soap products, which many
experts consider to be equally polluting?

I believe the government is only thinking of collecting huge
funds to be poured into the state coffers, and hence it resorts
to acting like a blindfolded boar. It is exactly the same as a
public bus driver, who must meet the fee set by the company
owner, also resorts to reckless driving with the little or no
concern for the public good.

I hope the government will be more responsible and use greater
wisdom in its decisions.

DAUD ABDULLAH
Jakarta