Obsolete regulation

Obsolete regulation

One of the few New Order regulations I considered reasonable
at the time of its introduction in the late 1980s, when rich
people used to fly to Singapore or other places just for shopping
-- namely that residents had to pay an exit tax when departing
this country -- is a ridiculous regulation nowadays.

Since a long time already -- long before Soeharto was replaced
-- shopping is cheaper here than abroad. It's therefore time in
my opinion for the new government to show its determination to
change things and abolish obsolete rules. One of those inherited
from the corrupt, collusive and nepotistic old regime definitely
is the payment of an exit tax when leaving the country, but there
are many more due for correction. Readers of this letter are
invited to come up with other examples.

MANFRED WEBER

Jakarta