Open letter to Fuad Bawazier

In March, I wrote a letter to Fuad Bawazier (then the director general of tax, now finance minister), complaining about the Rp 1 million fiscal tax. It was printed in Suara Pembaruan and Kompas. Until now I have received no reply.

I guess the minister does not read Indonesian newspapers, so I'm writing the same letter in The Jakarta Post. Hopefully, Mr. Bawazier or a member of his staff will have time to read it and respond.

My letter was based on Mr. Bawazier's statement in Harian Terbit, some time ago, that the fiscal tax is applied only to those people who have their own "salary".

My question is: Why is a wife -- who doesn't earn any money and is dependent on her husband -- who has a baby that cannot even speak yet, have to pay the fiscal tax when going abroad.

Could the authorities concerned explain the matter?

SUMOHADI MARSIS

Jakarta