PLN's levies

I am a client of state electricity company PLN, No DD2260082, KWH no 6352106. As I always pay my bills on time, I expect to receive maximum service from PLN.

But unfortunately, on Feb. 19, 2000, our electricity suddenly went off. After checking we found that sparks were shooting out of the electricity meter. Fearing a possible fire, I reported the case to PLN's 24-hour service department in Jatinegara and I was nicely served Bapak Yunus. He said that our region was the responsibility of PLN in Kalimalang, and directly contacted the Kalimalang office.

An electrician, Bapak Dadang, was sent to our home from the Kalimalang branch. I was told to buy a new meter, costing Rp 250,000, to replace the old one. I couldn't do otherwise or we would continue to live in the dark. The electrician removed the old meter and we paid Rp 175,000 as a down payment, and the rest would be paid after the new meter had been put in place. To our surprise, the electrician refused to give us a receipt for the payment.

We consider the meter the property of PLN and thus believe it is the responsibility of PLN to replace the damaged meter. Again I contacted PLN in Jatinegara and was told that the facility was PLN's property and the client did not have to pay anything for a replacement. Although giving a tip was regarded as a common practice.

On Feb. 22, the same electrician returned to install the meter and, of course, he asked for the outstanding payment. We related what had been said by the Jatinegara office. But alas, a customer is always in a disadvantageous position. I reluctantly paid another Rp 25,000 (no receipt as before).

I sincerely call on PLN to improve its service and control its money-minded electricians who always tend to extort funds from customers, instead of only demanding an increase in electricity rates without any concern about the quality of the service.

VERA NOVITA RAHMA

Jakarta