YLKI overwhelmed by complaints over stickers

YLKI overwhelmed by complaints over stickers

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Consumers Organization (YLKI) has
received more than 50 complaints in the last two days about the
aggressive fund-raising method for the SEA Games.

The foundation's chairwoman, Tini Hadad, said yesterday most
of the complaints were from mobile phone owners, water and
electricity customers.

"Mobile phone owners complained that their monthly bills
included Rp 2,500 for the Games, but they didn't receive
stickers," Tini said.

Customers of state-owned electricity company said they were
told to pay Rp 1,000 for the Games in addition to their monthly
bill, even though their house's electricity capacity was only 900
watts.

"Customers whose electricity's capacity is 900 watts are
exempted from the obligation," Tini said.

She said people who did not want to pay for the stickers could
refuse. "This is voluntary contribution," Tini said.

The selling of Games stickers was legalized by a Ministry of
Social Services decree No: BSS/583/XII/96. The ministry appointed
PT Angkasa Ronagraha, a consortium headed by President Soeharto's
son Bambang Trihatmodjo, to raise Rp 35 billion (US$14.9 million)
to help finance the Rp 100 billion Games through the sale of
stickers.

"Donations" are set at between Rp 1,000 and Rp 50,000 through
the sale of stickers. However, many people have complained as the
amounts are automatically included in their receipts for water,
electricity and telephone bills. People are also charged a SEA
Games fee at entertainment centers.

Supermarkets and department stores also charge consumers who
buy goods worth more than Rp 50,000. Those applying for land
titles are also subject to "donations".

Deal

According to the deal, the consortium collects the donations
from shops, restaurants and state-owned water and electricity
companies once every two weeks.

YLKI executive director, Zumrotin K.S., said the foundation
was currently circulating questionnaires on SEA Games donations
to mobile phone owners. "We expect to complete the polling this
week and get results next Monday," she said.

She said the organization did not only receive complaints from
within Jakarta, but also from other areas such as Lampung.

"Water customers in Lampung were upset because they were asked
to pay for five stickers, starting March, instead of April,"
Zumrotin said.

South Kalimantan governor, Gusti Hasan Aman, said he had not
been officially informed of the collection of funds through
stickers. However, the consortium has started collecting the
funds directly from customers' bills without prior notification.

Sri Wahyuni, a telephone customer living in Rawa Barat
subdistrict, South Jakarta, said she was forced to pay a Games
donation as it was already included in her bill.

"I hope that Telkom will explain to the customers because, as
far as I know, those donating to the Games should get stickers in
return," Sri, a mother of three, said.

Tukidjo, head of the Rawa Barat Post Office, confirmed that
many people had raised complaints over the stickers.

"I can't give them an answer because Telkom has not informed
me on the matter," Tukidjo said.

Jakarta Telkom's spokesperson, Yorius Sumampauw, said the
company had received instructions from its central office to bill
its customers directly.

He said that customers who refused to pay for the stickers
could state their objection. "They can refuse to pay by reporting
their objection to the local officials in charge of their
telephone bill payments," Yorius said.

The officials would then pass the customers' objection to
Telkom, he said. (ste/11)