Your comments on airport exit taxes which as of Jan. 1 increased to Rp 2.5 million (US$227) per person -- except for those with a tax number (NPWP) who are now exempt.
Just ridiculous! Now, I will have to stop some of my business travels to other countries, and of course I won't be able to take my family. I guess that's the goal of the Indonesian government, to stop people from leaving. I feel bad for my Indonesian friends for sure. JIM S.
Jakarta
I am a young Iranian executive and just finished reading an article in The Jakarta Post.
I'd like to say that virtually all governments of the world encourage their young people or young generation to travel abroad not only seeking jobs but knowledge and ideas which will one day be brought home for the benefit of the people and the country.
But the decision of your government to increase the exit tax by more than double will only make the younger generation and young business people more restricted to travel and know less about what is going on outside their home country.
How can your country improve and prosper if you have such regulations and laws?
Honestly, I have been to your country a few times and I find there are many laws and regulations so very stupid and without common sense.
I believe such laws and regulations only benefit the politicians and filthy rich business people. May God forgive your political leaders that are more interested in their personal wealth than the welfare of ordinary citizens. ALI KHARAZI
Teheran
I am from Italy and have been traveling regularly in this region. I noticed that the Malaysian, Singaporean and Thai governments have encouraged their citizens to go abroad and earn a living without any form of restrictions unless of course one has a criminal record.
The decision made by your government to increase exit taxes is a very immature decision. To be more simple, a very stupid move indeed!
This shows your politicians make decisions based on emotions rather than common sense. The whole world is laughing at your government with its decisions that do not help the people, especially the poor. DAMIJAN BASIN
Roma
I think it is not fair to increase it, especially for foreigners who don't have a tax number. How are you going to promote Indonesia if the tax alone is that high? LINDA
Jakarta
This airport tax is not fair for a retired KITAS holders who no longer earn a salary. They are entitled to an NPWP. The retired KITAS holders should be exempt from the tax. BERNARD WILLETTE
Jimbaran, Bali
The increase is OK with several conditions. First, if the government has a system to verify that the NPWP numbers are not faked. Second, if it guarantees that it would not become a new "product" that can be used by immigration and airport officials to get extra cash.
And third, if transparency is no longer questioned from the start to the end of the process, the immigration office should present a corner box in major media with an easy-to-digest summary and statistics, on a weekly basis.
Without considering the factors, the whole effort will become an interesting case for officers of the Corruption Eradication Commission in the future -- but I would prefer to see anticipative measures. JO NAVARRO
Jakarta
Exit taxes from Rp 1 million to Rp 2.5 million is not an increase, but more than double.
Many poor Indonesians still need to go abroad to find jobs, so don't burden them with such taxes. ELRIO SYAMSUMAR
Cikampek, West Java
Authority and responsibility of related tax officers should be fully described. SUWARSO
Jakarta
Why is there no mention of tax relief for retired people. They worked and paid their taxes, and now live on their pensions. They also deserve some consideration. JOSEPH
Amlapura, Bali
This new method and pricing for exit taxes is a good decision of the government to punish non-tax payers. It would certainly encourage more and more people to start paying tax.
This method however needs proper planning and initialization to save time as much as possible for those traveling passengers.
They have to make it user friendly too. For those paying the fiscal they could use ATMs to transfer money directly, instead of filling in forms and waiting in long queues to get paid stamps.
For those without credit cards, they could carry on using the current method. They could also issue smart cards for current tax payers which would allow them to just swipe and go through. ARUL VERMAN
Jakarta
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