SINGARAJA ~ The Buleleng Hotel and Restaurant Association protested against the Buleleng government this week for increasing taxes in 2007 by as much as 400 percent.

The complaints came during an association meeting at Bali Taman Lovina Hotel in Singaraja on Wednesday.

According to Chairman Anak Agung Ngurah Brawida, the association and people of Buleleng strongly oppose the tax increases set by the government.

“To be honest, we as hoteliers very much object to the ever-increasing taxes. If summed up, since 2005, taxes have increased more than 1,400 percent,” he said at a press conference.

Brawida said the government had agreed to cap tax hikes after the association filed an objection last year, saying that in 2007 alone, there was an increase up to 400 percent.

The association has agreed to send a letter of objection to the Singaraja Tax Office and to request 75-percent tax discount.

“We will send it by next Monday at the latest. Currently we are collecting the tax forms of members of the association as evidence,” said association deputy chairman Dewa Ketut Anom.