Fuel prices to be raised in few days: Purnomo

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro said on Wednesday state oil and gas firm Pertamina will raise domestic fuel prices for May in several days, but he could not mention the exact date.

?It could raise fuel prices on May 1, 2 or 5,? Purnomo told reporters.

He said President Megawati Sukarnoputri had issued a new decree which obliges Pertamina to increase domestic fuel prices during the early days of the month when it has to. The previous decree which was issued in January entails fuel price hike on the first day of the month.

Government and Pertamina officials pointed to the rising oil prices on the world market, which had exceeded US$26 per barrel, as the factor behind the government?s decision to raise domestic prices of fuel.

On Tuesday, Pertamina delayed announcing new fuel prices for unclear reasons.

But there were speculations that the delay was due to fears of uncontrollable massive rallies staged by workers on May 1 in the country?s cities in commemoration of World Labor Day.

On April 1, Pertamina raised fuel prices for April between 3.2 percent and 11 percent. (Godang)