Levies continue despite reform

Corruption, I thought, ended with the "reform drive". But when exporters wished to export a container last week, they were forced to make a payment to guarantee their containers would reach the wharf. It's called a security payment due to trucks being banned from the roads over Idul Fitri.

I do understand the traffic problems during the holiday time, but you would think that in this time of crisis exporters should not have to stop exporting for 10 days nor be held to ransom if they do wish to ship. The going rate for Central Java is Rp 450,000 up to Rp 550,000 per container, just another hidden cost in doing business in Indonesia.

M. SANGER

Jakarta