Yet another non-tax levy
Before very long cars passing along Jl. M.H. Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman during the morning and afternoon peak hours will be required to display stickers on their windshields. A sticker valid for one day will cost Rp 5,000 (64 U.S. cents), though for Rp 80,000 motorists will be able to buy stickers that are valid for one month.
The Jakarta city administration is determined to introduce the sticker system, which will be given a trial run in August. The central government has already given the plan its approval with the issuance of Presidential Decree No. 50/1998 governing the establishment and management of restricted traffic zones. Thus, despite strong protests from the Indonesian Consumers Association and public opposition, the city administration has emerged as the winner in this case. That, indeed, is the way decisions are made in this country. Anything whatsoever the government is set on doing will be done.
Still, we urge the governor of Jakarta to reconsider this particular policy -- all the more so since it has been barely one month since Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita issued a most specific guarantee that no more duties would be levied aside from lawful taxes. After a cabinet meeting earlier this month he made it clear that President Soeharto had instructed the minister of home affairs to give his special attention to this particular problem.
This being the case, can people be blamed for accusing the government of acting inconsistently? Jl. M.H. Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman are, after all, public thoroughfares built with taxpayers' money. The new policy places an extra burden on small traders and businesspeople. And not all motorists may have Rp. 5,000 bills ready to hand at any given moment.
Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso could contribute his share to lessening the existing public tensions by reconsidering his decision. Killing the decision would constitute a show of grace and generosity on his part. All of us still have to learn how to listen to, how to better understand and how to grant the wishes of the people.
-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta