UPC places banners to reject tax

JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of activists from the non-governmental organization, Urban Poor Consortium (UPC), erected at least 100 banners in several locations across Central Jakarta, calling on the public not to pay tax as a protest to the 2001 city budget.

UPC's secretary Abdul Rohim said UPC had earlier installed hundreds of similar banners on Tuesday across the city's five mayoralties but they were later taken down by public officials.

"Since we had 100 banners left, we put them up on Sunday," Rohim said.

The banners mostly state: "Don't pay tax" and "Boycot the 2001 City Budget".

UPC was among organizations grouped under the Coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations for Budget Transparency that protested the current budget.

The budget which amounted to more than Rp 7 trillion, was viewed to be unfair as most of the money was allocated to routine spending while only a small portion was allocated for the poor. (jun)