Obscene phone rates

The title of an article on page 10 of the Feb. 15 The Jakarta Post was ARIAWEST International keeps good commitments to customers. I found interesting the statements of the company's president, John G. Vondras, which brought a good image to Indonesia and even the world, as far as professionalism is concerned.

However, PT Telkom increased its rates by 24 percent as of Feb. 1, 1999, and the policy was agreed to by the House of Representatives, despite the economic crisis affecting the majority of people.

In this context, I would like to suggest that Mr. Vondras think of the people's burden during the crisis, when they have to struggle just to get basic foodstuffs.

DAMANHURI

Bekasi, West Java