Your comments on the disappearance of imported foods from hotels, restaurants and supermarkets because of tightened import restrictions.
We have a ludicrous situation where the government spent huge amounts of money promoting this wonderful country as a tourist destination, with fleets of aircraft being painted and advertising run across the world. Everyone in Indonesia benefits from this.
But the authorities are completely destroying this effort. A visit to the various travel websites shows that people are saying they won't visit Bali and Indonesia after finding out they can no longer get the sort of wines, cocktails and foods that most international travelers expect and can get anywhere else in the world.
Indeed throughout much of Asia, duty is being cut on alcohol. Bali has an increasingly sophisticated type of tourist, who contributes billions of dollars to the Indonesian economy for the benefit of all. These people want wine and imported foods, because they can buy it in any other tourist mecca around the world.
As long as these punitive and badly thought out actions continue as they are, Bali will become increasingly unattractive to tourists, and the people of Indonesia will suffer.
As for the food, clearly the testing agencies of Australia, the EU and The US are competent to test and their results should suffice ... after all, most of these countries have far higher standards than those usually applied in RI.
Surely it's time for someone in the government to take a bit of initiative and step in and add some common sense to the problem as that seems to be missing from the Food and Drug Control Agency (BPOM). ALAN
Denpasar
The government does not realize that it will promote the drug trade! It's very easy, if there is no alcohol, people will switch to other remedies that are easier and cheaper to get.
Also, sadly, food at the customs office is going rotten because its sitting in the sun -- that's a crime against humanity. It would be better to give it to hungry people, but no let's collect higher taxes on these items. KEITH HARDING
Jakarta
If those products are not registered for safe consumption in Indonesia, if something happens to the consumers, don't blame the Indonesian government.
They're just doing what they have to do. Buyers also have to do what they have to do. That is, ensure the safety of the consumers.
I don't think the main problem are the raids anyway. It's the high price and high demand -- and even higher prices due to the high rate of U.S. dollar.
This scarcity has also happened in the past, and back then, the problem was not the raids. NALA
Jakarta
There is a massive crisis for the bar industry going on and The Jakarta Post has no in-depth fact finding. For example, the rumors of containers stuck at the customs port full of alcohol because 300 percent duty has been enforced. According to people on the streets, Bali has no alcohol at all.
What about the people who drink at home? Where can they buy it? You only mention hotel inventories which are not the only market. RAHADI WIDODO
Jakarta
The situation in regards to imported food and beverages is getting quite serious and could have a significant and lasting impact on tourism in Indonesia.
Obviously any sovereign country has the right to restrict and test any imported foods or beverages, especially in light of Chinese producers deliberately adding harmful additives to foods and beverages.
The big problem at present are the limitations on imported alcohol, wine and beer. This is creating a lot of animosity between tourists and hotels, restaurants and bars and could eventually result in a boycott by tourists.
I am sure it is already having an economic effect, for tourism providers in terms of sales, the Government in loss of taxes, and employees in loss of tips.
I hear complaints daily from tourists in the hotel I am staying at and actually I know of one group that are going to cancel their plans for festivities in December.
What with the economic correction that is happening and the sluggish Rupiah, maybe the Government should reconsider and perhaps amend the law. BRUCE WYDER
Newton, BC. Canada
The import restrictions are for goods which tourists have come to expect to be available. If continued, this may become an issue whereby visitors choose to go elsewhere.
Unrestricted imports will support Indonesia's international tourism industry and we have to stay competitive with other destinations.
Let's not kill the goose with the golden egg. I am sure the impact of tourism earnings on the current account balance is many times more than the savings made by restricting imports. ROBERT H
Denpasar
I disagree if our government relaxed its policy on the imported goods because the policy is good to help our businessmen to create the local products. ERNI WIDAYATI
Metro, Lampung
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