House calls government not to prolong delay in fuel price increase

The House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tanjung said on Monday that the delay in the plan to increase fuel prices must not be made too long because it would cause a great burden for the state budget.

Akbar said that the House appreciated the government decision to delay the fuel price increase following protest from the public.

But he said that the plans must be immediately implemented once the government had been able to come up with a mechanism to secure the remaining fuel subsidy.

The government initially planned to increase fuel prices by an average of 13 percent starting April. Under the plans, the price of fuel products for the poor including kerosene and gasoline for public transportation would not be increased by maintaining the subsidy.

But the plans were delayed following protest and concern over the possible abuse of the fuel subsidy. (*)