Models draw attention to rates plan

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Hundreds of women, from stay-at-home mothers to models, gathered on Monday at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta to protest state power firm PT PLN's plan to raise electricity rates.

During the rally, the protesters, calling themselves the Women's Alliance for Electricity Awareness (Appel), brought up several issues, including inefficiency and alleged graft in the company.

"We object to their plan to raise electricity rates. We want them to be professional. We want all alleged graft cases in PLN to be resolved as soon as possible," said Irma Selia Malik, the coordinator of the rally.

Many protesters held up posters and banners condemning the plan and demanded a thorough investigation into the many alleged graft cases in PLN.

The protesters said they had heard that PLN had proposed its plan to raise electricity rates to the government, despite the fact that the company's performance had been disappointing, including the blackout in Java and Bali last Thursday.

Although the government announced late last month that it would allow PLN to raise its rates, it said that rates imposed on households, small and medium enterprises and public transportation owners would not be increased.

Earlier, several PLN directors were summoned by the Attorney General's Office for distributing bonuses when the company failed to make a profit last year.

The regulations clearly state that bonuses must not be given if a state company does not make a profit.

In spite of the investigation, no PLN director was named a suspect and the probe seems to have gone nowhere.

Appel also said that markups had occurred in many of PLN's projects, including the Cisiri and Cilacap projects in West Java.

At least 50 models wearing short skirts helped Appel distribute fliers and stickers to motorists.

Many motorists and pedestrians stopped to approach the models for fliers and stickers, causing traffic congestion along Jl. Thamrin.