DPR asks details of planned increase in fuel price

The House of Representatives (DPR) has asked the government to provide details of its plan to increase the fuel prices within the next two weeks to ensure that the House could make an assessment on the impact of the fuel hike, Investor Daily reported on Tuesday.

Agusman Effendi, the head of the Commission VII of the House, said in Jakarta on Monday that different statements made by the Cabinet ministers had caused uncertainties in the public.

To prevent things getting worse, he asked the government to make a final scenario in the planned fuel price increase and submitted it to the House within the next two weeks for approval.

However, Agusman warned that the House would reject the proposed fuel price increase if the rise in fuel prices were not realistic.

Speaking at hearing with Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Agusman criticized that different statements made by Cabinet ministers had caused increases in prices of basic commodities. "The uncertainties will only benefit speculators," he said.

The minister was asked to inform the details of the planned increase in fuel price during the hearing but he could not meet the request, saying that he needed to first consult with related ministries before unveiling the plan. (*)