'The President does hear you'

Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam

Writing to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is a bit like sending a letter to Santa Claus in that no one actually expects a reply.

Nonetheless a response from the President was received by Riau Islands Governor Ismeth Abdullah, albeit to the letters and text messages of hundreds of his constituents, who complained about being forced to pay illegal fees to get identity cards made and to enter Batam through Sekupang port.

Head of the Riau Islands administration's public relations office Muhammad Nur told The Jakarta Post on Saturday that the governor was so surprised by the letter he had immediately set about relaying its contents to districts and subdistrict heads.

The collection of illegal levies in making identity cards is a common practice in the province's regional offices.

On top of the official fee of Rp 25,000 to get an identity card made, one regularly has to pay between Rp 200,000 and Rp 500,000, and even up to Rp 1 million for Chinese-Indonesians. Refusal to pay up invariably leads to long delays.

Under bylaw No. 2/2001 on registration and population control in Batam city, non-residents arriving on Batam should have with them enough money to buy a ticket home and someone who can guarantee them accommodation on the island.

If the newcomer fails to meet the requirements, he or she will be forced to leave the island on the next ship.

However, in practice, the bylaw is being used by irresponsible officials.

In reality, many non-residents coming to the island by sea can enter the island even though they fail to meet the two requirements -- if they pay up to Rp 100,000 per person to the official on duty.

"We've asked Batam city administration to monitor the implementation of the bylaw, to see whether it should be reviewed. We've also asked the administration to restore order and stop the collection of illegal fees," Nur said.