Hayono to consider Yayuk's request on departure tax
Hayono to consider Yayuk's request on departure tax
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Hayono
Isman has said Indonesia's number one women's tennis player Yayuk
Basuki's request that she be charged only Rp 250,000 in departure
tax was under consideration.
Ramses from the Yayuk Basuki Management told The Jakarta Post
yesterday that Yayuk had yet to receive an answer to her request.
"So far we have not received word on whether the minister can
comply to Yayuk's request as it has to be discussed with the
finance minister," Ramses said.
Ramses added that in the meantime, Yayuk would have to pay Rp
1 million in departure tax every time she leaves the country. She
pays another Rp 2 million for her two coaches, Suharyadi (her
husband) and Paulus Pesurney (physical instructor).
Airport departure tax rose from Rp 250,000 to Rp 1 million on
Feb. 5.
Yayuk will compete in at least 12 international tournaments
this year. She leaves for Austria tomorrow to take part in the EA
Genralli Ladies Championships on Feb. 23.
Next month, Yayuk will compete in three tournaments in the
United States. The tournaments are State Farm Evert Cup in
Indiana Wells (March 2), Lipton Championships in Key Biscayne
(March 16) and Family Circle Magazine Cup in Hilton Head (March
30).
Yayuk is currently ranked 23rd in the world, demoted from 20th
after skipping two major events due to back injury. She, however,
managed to enter the fourth round in the Australian Open in
Melbourne in January.
She lost to world number one Martina Hingis of Switzerland 6-
0, 6-0 in the fourth round. Yayuk's back injury reportedly
affected her performance.
Yayuk met Hayono on Tuesday and requested she be allowed to
pay only Rp 250,000 for departure tax.
Yayuk told the minister during the meeting that the Rp 1
million departure tax was a burden to her. She was accompanied by
Suharyadi and Paulus at the meeting.
She said she annually spent about Rp 30 million on departure
tax for her overseas trips.
"Every year, I have to compete in 12 tournaments overseas.
With departure tax being Rp 1 million, this means I have to spend
at least Rp 30 million. This amount includes tax for my two
coaches," Yayuk said.
In reply to Yayuk's request, Hayono said it would be taken
into consideration. "I will meet the finance minister and ask
that you be exempted from paying."
Hayono agreed that it was a burden for Yayuk as the proceeds
she received from tournaments were small and she also paid taxes
on them.
Yayuk said she was surprise by the increase in departure tax
and expressed hope that she would be allowed to pay the old rate.
According to Hayono, Yayuk's request was the first instance of
this kind.
"Based on the regulations, athletes participating in
international tournaments such as the SEA Games and Asian Games
are exempt from departure tax. But for those traveling for
training or tryouts still have to pay departure tax," Hayono
said. (lnt)