Jasa Raharja services queried

JAKARTA (JP): A city council commission questioned on Monday the public services of state insurance company PT Jasa Raharja.

Chairman of Commission C for city revenue Amarullah Asbah said the company had yet to cover either the medical fees or insurance of most passengers who suffered from accidents.

"Some passengers blame the procedures which they claim are too complicated, while others admitted that they had never been informed about claiming for such coverage," he said, adding that the company should disseminate information more widely on the procedures to obtain financial cover.

According to the 1964 Law No. 33 and 34 on social coverage of traffic accidents, each passenger must pay a contribution towards life insurance to the bus operator, which is stated in passenger's tickets.

Medication for a person injured in a traffic accident will receive a maximum of Rp 2.5 million (about US$263.15) to Rp 20 million based on the mode of transportation used.

A passenger who suffers from a physical defect in a bus accident will receive Rp 5 million. If the victim dies, his or her family will inherit between Rp 5 million and Rp 40 million, plus Rp 500,000 for the burial.

Throughout last year, there were 2,984 cases of traffic accidents which cost the company a total of Rp 9.19 billion in insurance coverage. The figure was down from 3,239 cases which cost the company Rp 10.39 billion in 1999.

Amarulah also questioned the company's contribution to city revenue, obtained from Rp 400 in compulsory premium paid along with the issuance of a vehicle document service.

Quoting the city revenue agency report, Amarulah said the company managed to contribute Rp 776 million from the set target of Rp 445 million to the city's income in 1999. Last year's contribution was set at Rp 593.79 million. (07)