PLN's levies
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
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