Parking fee plan

From Merdeka

If the new parking fee proposed by the Jakarta administration (DKI) was introduced at Rp 5,000 per hour as planned, it would seriously crush the "little man", or those living on a very tight budget. It might even discourage people from owning a car despite the introduction of a national car program.

DKI is not the sole authority of public roads in Jakarta and car owners should therefore exercise more rights over public roads.

Every year we have to pay road tax. Cars are not allowed on the road if their owner has not paid the tax and if caught they face a fine. It would be a different matter if DKI had to pay its own parking fee.

In my opinion, DKI should be more careful when drawing up rules for public roads as it could cause considerable losses. Making money should not be the only priority.

If DKI would like to reduce traffic flow in the capital, why does it have to introduce such lofty parking fees? If more people drive their own cars, wouldn't this confirm that a prosperous nation is on its way? We should be thankful and proud of these signs of prosperity.

We should not impose fees here and there, or increase the price of goods randomly under new rules. It would be like catching fish from an aquarium.

But I tip my hat to DKI if they are able to increase their income without the aid of taxes or parking fees, or in any other way.

ACHMAD HUSEIN

Jakarta