Illegal fees

Illegal fees still rife

From Kompas

I recently processed a permit in an office under the supervision of the finance ministry. Talking with one of the office division heads, I was told that the office had a very limited operational fund while it had to provide services to the public to process various permits. He went on to say that sometimes its staffers had to make their own efforts to provide or fix office equipment and were forced to ask the public's understanding.

Moreover, if people require their permits to be processed quickly, the practice of imposing illegal charges prevails.

Terms referring to this have become popular cliches, such as "short cut" or "via the toll road". The practice of corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN) continue. It is carried out blatantly and has become commonplace; it is widely practiced in many government institutions serving the public. A person will not receive good service if he or she doesn't give extra money.

As the government is lacking in funds, illegal fees and KKN have become rife while the public finds it difficult to oppose. Public officials will do everything to make someone produce some money, saying that their superior is in the meeting, the staff members concerned are not available, etc., to delay the processing of a permit.

The public is generally in a weak bargaining position and afraid of protesting in fear that they will have more difficulties in processing their permits. It is really unfair. I think, besides the improvement of public officials' welfare, several things in public institutions should also be put in order to eradicate illegal charges and KKN. For example, the upgrading of office work equipment, the improvement in the quality of human resources, complete and clear laws and consistent law enforcement.

JONO

Jakarta