Thumbs-up YLKI!

Thumbs-up YLKI!

From Sinar Pagi

How happy I was on hearing the Indonesian Consumers' Foundation (YLKI) statement opposing the Jakarta City Water Company's (PAM Jaya) plan to increase water rates. It means that this institute is capable of conveying the wishes of the community who subscribe to the water company.

The community is now overburdened with levies in various forms. The drop of the rupiah in the international market is not connected at all with the little people, but they bear most of the burden.

The price of the nine essential commodities has sharply increased. Tariffs of various services will also rise.

PT Telkom has announced the application of long-distance rates within the Greater Jakarta area. Now, suddenly, PAM Jaya wishes to increase its rates too. Who else will follow? The PLN (state- owned electric company), probably. Then the toll road. This will influence bus fares. Then fuel prices, perhaps.

What a heavy burden the people have to bear, the people who have to make do despite living below the poverty line.

There are strong reasons for YLKI to give a prompt reaction to PAM Jaya's planned increase. Along with probably hundreds of thousands of city water consumers, I feel grateful for the protest.

I hope that YLKI will unremittingly fight for the consumers' interest until PAM Jaya decides to cancel its plan.

It would perhaps be better for the water company to take these steps, following YLKI chairwoman Tini Hadad's statement, rather than increase its rates.

With such a bad service, not to mention the quality of its water, how dare PAM Jaya increase its rates! The company should not only think of profits, it should also respond to its customers' complaints.

RAHADIAN CHANIAGO

Jakarta