Halo Telkomsel Customers Will Be Subject To Admin Fees Starting July 5, YLKI: Cancel The Rule, Consumers Have Been Subject To Increased VAT

An illustration of Telkomsel's services, one of which is the Halo card. (Telkomsel dock)

JAKARTA - The daily chairman of the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) Tulus Abadi criticized the policy of PT Telekomunikasi Selular or Telkomsel which would impose admin fees for its users.

According to him, the application of free admin fees is only for Telkomsel Halo customers with the criteria of paying by the auto debit or auto payment system, which is unfair.

"Telkomsel will impose a levy or admin fee for Halo users who pay via bank. This is an unfair policy for consumers," Tulus said to VOI, Tuesday, May 24.

Tulus suggested that the Telkomsel Halo bill payment plan be canceled. He mentioned that admin fees will burden consumers who have recently been affected by Law Number 7 of 2021 concerning Harmonization of Tax Regulations dated October 29, 2021.

"Because consumers are subject to double levies. This unfair rule must be canceled," he said.

As a result of Law No. 7 2021, Telkomsel has adjusted the latest Value Added Tax (VAT) rate. For Telkomsel Halo, customers will be subject to VAT of 11 percent. The rule just took effect on April 1 last.

Only one month later, the subsidiary of PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk has again withdrawn additional tariffs to Telkomsel Halo customers by charging an admin fee. Teguh assesses that the policy is certainly burdensome for consumers.

"Cancel the regulation. Consumers have been subject to an increase in VAT. Don't be lazy and burden consumers," said Teguh.

Citing the company's official website, Telkomsel will charge an admin fee for the criteria for Telkomsel users who pay bills at Telkomsel's payment partners, e-commerce, banking, and other payment partners.

"Starting July 5, 2022, for payment of Telkomsel Halo bills at Telkomsel payment partners, including through modern trade (Indomaret, Alfamart and so on), e-commerce (Tokopedia, Shopee, Blibli, etc.), and banking (ATM, Internet Banking, and Mobile Banking), and other payment partners, customers are subject to admin fees," said Telkomsel on the company website, Tuesday, May 24.

Meanwhile, for Telkomsel Halo customers with the criteria of paying by the autodebit system or credit card auto payment in collaboration with the company, there is no admin fee.

However, Telkomsel did not provide more details regarding the admin fees that Telkomsel Halo customers would incur.