SMS: Disappearing of imported goods

Thu, 11/27/2008 10:57 AM  |  Reader's Forum

Your comments on the disappearance of imported foods from hotels, restaurants and supermarkets because of tightened import restrictions.

Another disaster for Bali. Tourists go on holiday to enjoy Bali, including the wonderful restaurants and night life. Wine and spirits are essential. Thailand, Malaysia Vietnam, and Singapore do not treat their guests so poorly. This is supposed to be "Visit Indonesia Year 2008".
MIKE CAROL
Denpasar

As long as tourism is still one of the backbones of our economy then our government should facilitate the importation of relevant commodities which are necessary to enhance tourist attractions and accommodation.

All relevant government sectors should be more accommodative in this situation and make sure we provide all possible means to enhance the attraction for tourists. Let Bali be Bali, and Manado be Manado. Let us give tourism our support in every way possible.
MOELJONO ADIKOESOEMO
Jakarta

We live in Singapore and just paid Rp 4 million for 12 bottles of average Chilean wine we had never heard of on a visit to Bali, which was all the shop could offer.

We are required to pay a tax on arrival, a tax on departure, and now we cannot even get a bottle of wine at a sensible price in Bali.

We have decided to visit Bali less now, and when we come, we are going to be sure to bring a bottle of liquor each, and drink cocktails so we are not held hostage to this ludicrous situation in the future.
TIM ROBINS
Singapore

A recent news article stated that the business community in Indonesia was hoping the government would provide economic stimuli to offset the impacts of the global financial crisis on the domestic economy. Perhaps this is also the rationale behind restrictions on imported foods and beverages -- to remove competition for local products.

The problem is that the imported foods which have been restricted often have no local equivalent or substitute. Consumers simply do without, and the government loses a potential source of tax revenue. The end result, as with many of the government's policies, is to make foreigners feel frustrated and unwelcome in Indonesia.

Typically, expatriates in Indonesia are well-off financially. Thus they have the resources to purchase high-priced, non-essential items, even during the current economic crisis. Are these the people the government wants to alienate and drive out of Indonesia, precisely when the positive effects of spending are most needed?
ANRIENNE LAROCQUE
Jakarta

This could be a blessing in disguise. This is an opportunity for hotels and restaurants to increase spending on local goods. Using the local produce would help our economy.

The hotels and restaurants should identify and develop local entrepreneurs so they can benefit from the tourism related business development. These local entrepreneurs could supply the goods continually and probably at cheaper prices. When supplies are cheap, hotels and restaurants can charge tourists with competitive rates.

The government, especially the local government, should also assist local entrepreneurs with the necessary technology to produce and market the required goods. If it is at all possible the government should impose high tariffs on imports goods.

Foreign tourists are here, I believe to enjoy the things that they can't get in their own countries including foods and beverages. If local foods and beverages are of good quality and are competitively priced, the tourists may stay longer and come back again for future holidays.

The Indonesian tourism board should also use Indonesia's diverse foods and beverages to promote Indonesia. Remember, we have to compete with other countries to attract foreign visitors, and locally prepared quality foods and beverages could be a unique proposition.
HENDRY D. SINGGALANG
Jakarta

I bought a box of Jack Daniel's Bourbon Whiskey on the black market in Bali because it's not available in East Java where I live. Unfortunately the bottles where watered down by between 30 and 40 percent.

They tasted weird and I still had an original bottle I bought in Kuala Lumpur and comparing them the color was very different.

Anyway, I had to pay almost twice as much on the black market compared to what a used to pay at a convenience store. At least the bottles of Jack Daniel at the convenient store where original and they were not tampered with.

The point is, I don't want to buy crap on the black market. I want to pay an honest price for it legally. But now the government forces people to look for alternatives. And in the end, everybody loses.

The Tax office is missing out on tax revenue, importers and resellers are out of business and worst of all, I have to drink "aqua juiced" Jack Daniel.
EKYAH
Surabaya

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David, Jakarta (not verified) — Mon, 12/01/2008 - 11:13am

As usual, short-sighted and greedy officials risk causing untold damage to the national economy. It would be perfectly in order for Germany, the UK, Korea, Italy, Australia and all the other countries whose food and beverage products have been effectively denied access to Indonesia to retaliate in kind. There are plenty of precedents in international law.

What if imports of Indonesian peanuts, seafood, coffee and spices were refused entry to these markets?

I would happily buy Indonesian breakfast muesli (at Indonesian domestic prices) but nobody is manufacturing the stuff here. Similarly, Indonesian Emmenthal cheese is notable by its scarcity, while I can't seem to find Indonesian Christmas pudding anywhere.

Peter C (not verified) — Sat, 11/29/2008 - 10:01pm

Firstly the government of Indonesia must acknowledge the importance of foreign investment, facilitate this investment & protect these investments with laws that are upheld & systems that can entice further investment. Introduce 100% legitimate importation systems, charge an import tax inline with other countries & see the immediate benefits of goods arriving, the tax on the import paid to the government & the flow on effect of moving these goods down the line & creating jobs ALL THE WAY ALONG. This in turn will give much needed confidence to foreign investors to set up shop here in Indonesia & also hang in during the tough times. PLEASE is there someone who can knock on the door of SBY & have him honestly say that the current disgraceful act involving government departments simply arguing over who takes more of the under the table corruption for the liquor entering the country is doing absolutely any good for anyone, except those corrupt people holding the keys to the warehouses holding the liquor from being distributed.
How many jobs from delivery truck drivers to hospitality staff , to cleaners in restaurants is this causing to be lost during this critical time.
SBY if you are serious to eradicate corruption then stand tall & CLEAN UP the importation sector first of all as this will have huge benefits.
For those suggesting that the limitation is a good opportunity to introduce locally produced product , I am sorry to inform you this is not how it is done. It is much more pleasant for people enjoying beautiful Indonesia to have a choice to experiment with local flavors rather then simply being bullied in to it.
I am forced to restrain myself from screaming when I ask "why does the government wish to continually stifle positive growth by absolutely absurd decisions, can you not see it is hurting the image of Indonesia" , open your arms & your minds embrace what is possible & grow from the experience . Indonesia is beautiful , allow everyone to experience this beauty in a way that they themselves will remember it clearly & dont feel that you are allowed to soil that memory because you believe you know best. As religions need to life alongside each other , allow ideas to also develop hand in hand & open the doors to correct procedures & watch the great people of Indonesia become rich in knowledge ,enthusiasm & wealth.
SBY assist your people to move forward by doing as you promised & eradicate those who at this point in time are stealing rice from the mouths of millions due to their inability to perform their jobs of having imports arrive safely & collecting tax for your government to again support your people, not the scam they are fronting currently of double dipping on everything & never passing it on down the line.
Could someone please answer my comment so I at least know that perhaps this may slip under the solid teak door of the PRESIDENT OF INDONESIA's office & may indeed result in many of the people affected by the current world economic crisis retaining their jobs as by some miracle the warehouses are opened, the liquor arrives , the hospitality sector is stimulated by this , the tourists & others leave the beautiful shorelines of Indonesia with postcard type memories & the importation sector is cleaned up encouraging imports , a simple import tax schedule is put in place, the government receives these taxes , the Indonesians prosper & what a beautiful circle of events will follow with continual growth.
Regards
Peter C

AReader (not verified) — Fri, 11/28/2008 - 4:31pm

Nicely said Susi!

Well the argument, Indonesia want promote Local goods, doesn't count at all.

Not only cant Indonesia provide enough to the demand neither even can Indonesia produce certain goods. ( useless to say that many Indonesian wannabe goods uneatable or drinkable or even dangerous )

Other country's import certain goods as well, since they not be able to produce them with own recourse or not willing to do that.

So whats wrong with importing goods you don't have or cant make by your own? NOTHING!!!

And HELLOOOO BPOM.. get your facts straight... foreign government regulations for food processors have billion times higher standards than Indonesian.. how dare you to question these standards? What is your source?? What is your reason to do that??? How for gods sake even able to test goods if you don't provide anyone to do that??? Didn't you get your share???

All the food and drinks held back now, will rot in time... hey at least give it to the poor before that!! Or you sold it already to your family members????

It's clearly a game of very narrow minded people, who cant foresee the damage will made throughout all the decisions by now.

Its not only dangerous but stupid, the only ones who will pay for that are the Indonesian citizens in the near future.

What many just forget, investors and foreigner can easy go somewhere else, there are plenty of better choices nearby...

Good night Indonesia.....

Schmerly (not verified) — Fri, 11/28/2008 - 9:57am

I totally agree with Susi, It’s another corrupt way to screw more money out of the “infidels” People are suggesting we buy local produce, so where do you buy Indonesian produced wine? I didn’t know Indonesia had a wine region! But I suppose you could always drink locally produced “jungle juice” good old Indonesia going backwards as usual, never mind just a short flight away is Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand Etc., and these places have a lot more to offer than Indonesia, so why bother wasting you money going to Indonesia when you can get whatever you want in these another country’s.

Susi (not verified) — Thu, 11/27/2008 - 12:34pm

This apparently deliberate removal of alcoholic drinks from the market has happened before. It happened earlier this year, concurrent with the high season in Bali (August). It happened last year during the Christmas holidays (another high season for Bali). And now it is happening again at the same time.

This absolutely cannot be a coincidence. It really does look like a deliberate tactic to harm non-Muslim "infidels" and their "haram" activities (and those who profit from them, e.g. The Balinese Hindus). I just can't see it any other way, the pattern seems too obvious.

The founding document of the Republic of Indonesia guarantees freedom and equality to its citizens regardless of their religion. For one faith to impose its doctrines on members of other faiths is illegal, and unconstitutional. But it seems to be just what is happening here.

Strengthening that suspicion is the recent enactment of legislation making it a crime to wear a bikini, kiss a friend, dance, or enjoy classical art.

This is just too cruel to the Balinese. What will Bali have to offer visitors? No drinks, no traditional Balinese dances, no sunbathing, no nightlife, and no romance. Sounds like a great holiday, doesn't it?

Exacerbating the situation are recent reports of mountains of garbage on Kuta's beaches, and an outbreak of rabies in Ungasan (a five-star hotel and villa district), plus the public distribution here of a farewell song by a condemned mass-murderer cursing Americans and "infidels".

This country seems to be hell-bent on regressing to the dark ages, and destroying any possibility of achieving prosperity for the benefit of it's long-suffering citizens. It's just insane, if you ask me.

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