Protest over increase in electricity tariff intensifies
Saturday, April 15 2000 - 04:00 AM WIB
The Indonesian Textile Association (API) and the Indonesian Fiber Synthetic Producers Association (Apsyfi) joined on Friday the protest made earlier by seven real sector associations against the increase in electricity tariff, the Bisnis Indonesia daily reported.
API deputy chairman Benny Sutrisno said that the 88 percent to 104 percent increase in the power tariff would lower the performance of the textile industry.
He said that the increase would also lessen the competitiveness of the country's textile producers.
"The government must cancel the new tariff policy or implement the tariff increase gradually," he said.
Apsyfi secretary general Sutrisno said similar things.
Seven associations grouped under the Indonesian Steel Producers had earlier made similar protest.
The government raised the tariff power starting this month.
Meanwhile, state electricity company PLN spokesman Maryono said that the company could not reverse the new tariff policy.
He pointed out that the tariff policy was made based on a presidential decree. (*)