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