Your comments on the shortage of imported food in hotels, restaurants and supermarkets due to tightened import restrictions on the products.
I believe this is a democratic country and people can have different views, but when people are doing business in this country legally, they should not have trouble stocking shelves and carrying out their daily requirements.
FERAAZ
Jakarta
Why do tourists come to Indonesia? They want to enjoy the beauty of our culture and nature. It is high time we realize this. We must introduce them to our national food and beverages.
JANFRIONAL
Jakarta
Tourists come here to enjoy their holidays and for many, drinking wine is part of that. What is the point of the "Visit Indonesia campaign 2008" if so many other regulations counter this effort, at least in the eyes of foreigners? Tourists will continue to choose Thailand and Malaysia, as statistics clearly show.
NATASZA
Jakarta
The government must give top priority to domestic products. If the government relaxes its policy, domestic products will lose their competitiveness.
EVA FITRIANI
Metro, Lampung
The governments recent tightening of import regulations has nothing to do with concerns for the safety of those who purchase imported foods.
The regulators have just found a new way to extract further bribes to satisfy their own greed. Yet another sign of the lunacy and incompetence of our government.
BIMA
Jakarta
I think the government policy to tighten imported goods is the right step as long as those goods can be produced by local industries.
The policy will drive our economy, boost the use of domestic products, reduce demand for dollars/foreign currencies and restrict illegal imported goods.
Therefore, the government should not impose a flexible policy on it.
ABDUL RAHIM
Tengerang, Banten
If the Indonesian government had a proper importing system there would be no corruption. Plus the government would get the money that is currently taken by all the corrupt agents in the customs dept. They have the cart before the horse.
BRAD
Singapore
Yes the government should relax its current policy because everybody loses. Hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and nightclubs cannot supply the consumer which leads to no tax revenue for the government. The only winners at the present time are those now running the black markets which are now emerging. Congratulations once again to the Indonesian government for creating this mess.
MICHAEL
Surabaya
The import restrictions are negatively affecting the tourism industry. A better solution should be found.
YURLENI LUBIS
Bekasi
The government must relax their policy. Why! We all know that this will affect all entertainment venues and restaurants. At present, with the economic crisis looming everywhere, this is not at all a wise decision. Think of the jobs being lost: restaurant owners and waiters, not to mention Indonesia will go backwards 30 years. Sad but true.
ANITA RAM
Jakarta
I think us expatriates can take care of ourselves when it comes to liquor by always reminding visiting clients, family and friends to bring a bottle or two from overseas.
Besides one enjoys it more when obtained if it isn't readily available. Better for our health too. Now for the tourism industry it's a different story.
Maybe just for hotels and restaurants they could lower the import taxes to compensate for the fluctuations in the exchange rate. Organizing this means they have to think. And thinking is a bit of a challenge for our government. Always has been. It will clear up. It usually does. It is Indonesia. Logic defying circumstances are part of this country's charm.
P.V.
Surakarta, Central Java
Perception is everything. This is another damning example of the government's inability to carry out its policy. While trying to clean up customs, it has damaged the tourism industry and reduced taxes on luxury goods!
CHRIS W.
Jakarta
By all accounts, Indonesia is a major tourist destination and touted as a beautiful country. This policy must be loosened if the tourism campaign is to be successful.
BONNA
Jakarta
People will not starve to death without imported foods and beverages. At this challenging time, help the nation by buying more local products.
ANDOKO DARTA
Jakarta
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