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)