Road rage

Road rage

I was interested in Mr. Michael Upton's article in The Jakarta Post of Aug. 22, 1999, headlined Police methods -- a taxing experience. He told the facts that must be faced by almost every Jakartan in renewing vehicle registration documents and driving licenses. Of course, one may avoid the bother if one does not mind paying extra money to the "consultants" or the "broker" who exist because of the irresponsible system created and adopted to meet the situation.

From the article, we are fully aware of how unprofessional, unethical, greedy and shameful the institution is in serving the people. They never consider that we bring money for the institution; part of it is to pay their staffs' salary. As a citizen of this city we have the right to ask the Jakarta government to do something to enhance services.

In other countries, we can renew our vehicle registration in a very simple process by mailing the documents and checks; here in Jakarta and the rest of Indonesia, the owners have to be physically present and bring the vehicle to be checked. Yet I do not see any rationale behind the requirements because they are waived when a broker's help is used.

We should be ashamed of such unhealthy practices which can only create a high cost economy.

M. SULHAN ASKANDAR

Jakarta