Waiting for action on levies

Waiting for action on levies

Seven cabinet ministers spoke with members of the business community and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry last week. On the agenda was the question of levies and the burden they place on businesses and the economy.

The campaign to eradicate illegal levies started rolling when Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief met with President Soeharto. Now seven cabinet ministers are involved.

While there does appear to be a political resolve, we still have our doubts. Are we acting once again as if all is well just because the issue is being discussed? Will the government actually phase out the levies? Or will we go silent and let the practice continue.

This time around the talk must be accompanied by a definite plan, follow-up measures, supervision and evaluation. This time we have to be serious.

-- Kompas, Jakarta