Fuel price increase delayed till November

Minister of Mines and Energy Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that the delay in the fuel price increase should be made until November due to the weak purchasing power of the people and to avoid inflationary pressure.

Susilo said that this was his personal view, but added that other senior economic ministers had agreed.

"And the International Monetary Fund can also accept this," he told Republika daily.

The government initially planned to raise fuel prices by an average of 12 percent in April. The plan was delayed, but it was not clear until when.

Minister of Finance Bambang Sudibyo had earlier said that the government wouldn't increase fuel price until August. (*)