Used cars from S'pore may be dumped

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