On birth certificates

On birth certificates

In reply to a letter, March 18, 1995, The Jakarta Post, concerning the legalization of a birth certificate at the Dutch Embassy, I was told by an also very unfriendly female employee (like every time) that the legalization cost, if arranged by the Embassy, would cost me Rp 163,000, instead of Rp 138,000 as Mrs. Yeanne Soleiman was told the same day.

To my surprise the actual costs at the Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs are only Rp 5,000 and Rp 7,500.

So, beside being treated very unpleasantly, you have to pay more than Rp 150,000 for the Dutch part of the legalization, and some service.

I would like to know why do people have to pay different prices for the same legalization process and why the Dutch Embassy charges such a high fee for just a few stamps?

JHHM GERRITS

Jakarta