Yet another non-tax levy

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