Hilton hotel owes Rp 1.8b in property tax

Hilton hotel owes Rp 1.8b in property tax

JAKARTA (JP): Hilton Hotel International has not paid its 1995
property taxes, which are due this month to the tune of Rp 1.8
billion (about US$800,000).

The chief of Gelora subdistrict, Central Jakarta, Suhartini,
said yesterday that there is a remote possibility that the hotel
has paid the tax.

However, she said, "My office has not yet received any receipt
from the bank. I have to report all this to the governor as I
have no evidence acknowledging that the property tax has been
paid."

Suhartini said the hotel has asked for its total amount to be
reduced by Rp 200 million, though she could not confirm if the
government had accepted Hilton's request.

Apart from the hotel, she said that Rp 2 billion in taxes have
been collected in her subdistrict, short of the Rp 3 billion
expected.

Ria Leimena, the hotel's public relations manager, denied the
allegation saying that Hilton processed the necessary documents
on Oct. 17

"I don't know where it is now but I am sure the payment is on
the way because we have processed it," she said, without
detailing the documents filed.

Governor Surjadi Soedirdja said that the subdistrict office
should not relent and make sure the taxes gets paid.

Surjadi said that the city administration is making a
concerted effort this year to reach the city's original tax
revenue target of Rp 1.42 trillion, including land and building
taxes.

Addressing subdistrict officials yesterday, Surjadi reminded
all city officials to improve their services to public.

"Don't abuse your power for your own advantage," he said.
"City officers must not extort or blackmail or whatever its name
to get money from the public."

Surjadi said that there are many temptations in Jakarta and
that officers should not to be tempted by collusion. (yns)