Used cars from S'pore may be dumped

PEKANBARU, Riau: The local Tax and Excise Office may dump 30 used cars donated by the Singapore Police to private universities in Riau since the Association of Private Universities (APTISI) in the province is reluctant to pay import tax and excise on the cars.

The used cars, which arrived here in April, 2002, without prior permission from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, have been impounded by the Tax and Excise Office.

The chief of the office, Zulkarnain, said on Tuesday that trade and industry minister Rini Soewandi had told him to reexport the cars or dump them.

"We will most likely dump the cars because we don't have the money to return them to Singapore," he said.

Chaidir M.M., chairman of the Riau provincial legislative council, hailed the government's plan to dump the cars, saying the importation of such cars was not allowed.

Separately, APTISI chairman Harlen called on Governor Saleh Djasit to approach the trade and industry minister and ask that tax on cars be waived.

The used cars were to be used by APTISI and numerous private universities in the province. --JP