Port promises to end illegal levies

JAKARTA (JP): PT Pelabuhan Indonesia II, the state-owned company managing the Tanjung Priok port, has promised to eliminate illegal levies for the transportation of goods with containers into and out of the port.

"The Council for Container Transportation Services in Tanjung Priok guarantees that there will be no more illegal levies for container services at the port as of early next month," Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Importers (GINSI) Amirudin Saud said here Wednesday.

The council comprises officials of GINSI, the Jakarta office of the Ministry of Transportation, the Tanjung Priok administration office, Pelabuhan II, the Jakarta Administration, the Jakarta Police Command, the Association of Freight Forwarding Companies and the Association of Land Transportation Companies.

Amirudin acknowledged that the port has taken measures to stop illegal levies in its area but will increase the fees for its services.

"We do not object to the fee increase if it is accompanied by improved services because spending for them can be calculated," he said.

"The abolition of illegal levies is marvelous because we have spent too much for such payments which cannot be calculated," he added.

Exporters and importers have complained that they have had to spend a lot of money for illegal levies demanded by personnel processing documents at the Tanjung Priok port. They cried out over such levies earlier this month because the fees have made their products too expensive and less competitive on the world market.

Amirudin was quoted by Kompas daily yesterday as saying the port will also introduce a new method of payment for container handling services, under which owners of containers will be required to pay handling fees with vouchers issued by Bank Bukopin.

The new method of payment is aimed at eliminating corruption and illegal touting, he said. (riz)