High price to pay

High price to pay

From Neraca

Last December, I was assigned to conduct a week-long survey in
Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, in my capacity as a government
employee. I was accompanying a consultant from a private company.

We decided to look for accommodation at Senggigi Beach, known
for its beautiful scenery. My colleague initially recommended
that we stay at a star-rated hotel. But the hotel's rates were
quoted in American dollars -- about US$80 per night -- and I
could not afford the expense as my travel allowance was in
rupiah.

We found a suitable cottage on the beach but, to our
amazement, their rate was also priced in dollars. The cottage
quoted a daily rate of $20, equivalent to Rp 160,000 at the
exchange rate of Rp 8,000 at that time. This would have cost me
almost twice my allowance as a third-level civil servant.

Fortunately, the establishment's owner understood our
situation and provided an extra bed for one room. The consultant
paid the rate in full and treated me as his guest.

I appeal to the authorities concerned to consider this issue
and rule that hotels should quote their rates in rupiah.

NURMAN HERDI

Jakarta