Pelni's passengers

Pelni's passengers

From Kompas

I am referring to the news published in Kompas on Feb. 5,
1996, concerning the supervision of boat passengers in Makassar
harbor. The article stated that the system to protect passengers
has failed.

My experience with PT Pelni show that the failure is not due
to mismanagement on land, but caused by the fact that the sailors
rent mattresses to the passengers.

The control of mattresses and boat tickets is done after the
ship has left the harbor. The mattress fee is charged according
to the destination. The longer the distance the higher the fee.
Those who do not want to pay the mattress fee can be sure that
the mattress will be taken away. No compromise.

The mattresses are actually included in the ticket price and
provided by the company. But the sailors rent the mattresses
supposedly in compliance with the policy stipulated by the
company management in order to improve the well-being of its
employees.

LILY PULUBUHU

Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi