PT Guru Indonesia clarifies

Referring to your article Businesspeople concerned by govt economic performance on page 13 of The Jakarta Post on Oct. 13, I would like to make a correction regarding my question to the President of Indonesia. I did not mention "blackmail" because it is Indonesia's regulations that need clarification.

My exact question to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was: "Thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity to speak. First, my name is Stanley Lee, president director of PT Guru Indonesia, we belong to the Sime Darby Group in Singapore and Malaysia."

"Our factory has been in operation here for 30 years in Jakarta and we are facing problem with tax regulations concerning the kawasan berikat, or bonded zone."

"We have been advised that because of conflicting interpretations, we have been penalized Rp 2.6 billion. From where will we get the money to pay because most of our overseas customers are operating within the tax-free bonded zone."

"I do hope that Mr. President will look into this matter and thank you, Sir."

STANLEY LEE, President Director, PT Guru Indonesia

Note: Thank you for the clarification.

-- Editor