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