City set for violent protests over fuel hike<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): City authorities say they are fully prepared for
\nviolent protests, strikes and shortages when fuel prices are
\nraised on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The authorities said on Thursday 200 buses were on standby
\nshould bus drivers in the capital go on strike to protest the 12
\npercent fuel price hike.<\/p>\n
The police will deploy thousands of personnel to assure the
\nsmooth distribution of gas, kerosene, and basic goods. Officers
\nwill guard gas stations, markets, business centers and offices.<\/p>\n
City Hall hosted a meeting attended by representatives from
\nthe Jakarta administration, police, military, market operator PD
\nPasar Jaya and Land Transportation Control Agency (DLLAJ).<\/p>\n
Mostly middle-ranking representatives were present, unusually
\nfor an important meeting.<\/p>\n
The city administration, for instance, was represented by
\ncity secretary Fauzi Bowo, while the Jakarta Police by operation
\ncontrol command deputy chief Supt. Yuwanto.<\/p>\n
\"In today's meeting, we checked each institution's final
\npreparations ahead of the Oct. 1 fuel hike. We all know that fuel
\nhikes are a sensitive issue that can lead to social unrest,\"
\nFauzi said.<\/p>\n
Fauzi said the 200 extra buses would be borrowed from several
\nprivate bus companies, such as Mayasari, Damri and Steady Safe,
\nin anticipation of possible strikes by workers with the city-
\nowned bus company, PPD.<\/p>\n
\"We have heard about the strike plan and even though we are
\nnot sure about it, we choose to be prepared,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Supt. Yuwanto said that his boss, Jakarta Police chief Gen.
\nNurfaizi, had ordered all police chiefs in the capital to enhance
\nsecurity in their areas and work together with security guards at
\nbusiness centers to anticipate unrest.<\/p>\n
\"Gen. Nurfaizi ordered us on Monday to keep an eye out for
\ngroups that could use the moment to create instability in the
\ncapital,\" Yuwanto said.<\/p>\n
The police, however, are unable to identify the groups, he
\nadded.<\/p>\n
Increasing fuel prices is a tough political decision for the
\ngovernment as in the past it has often led to protests and
\nunrest. The last time the government increased fuel prices was in
\nMay 1998. Protests and bloody riots in Jakarta followed,
\ncontributing to the downfall of then president Soeharto two weeks
\nlater.<\/p>\n
Under the plan, the price of premium gasoline will increase to
\nRp 1,150 from Rp 1,000 per liter, automotive diesel oil to Rp 600
\nfrom Rp 550, kerosene to Rp 350 from Rp 280, and bunker oil to Rp
\n400 from Rp 350.<\/p>\n
Deputy governor of administrative affairs Abdul Kahfi said on
\nWednesday that the capital would be hit by strikes and protests
\nahead of the hike.<\/p>\n
The strikes, he said, may well take place at bus terminals,
\nwhile protesters could flock to the State Palace, the House of
\nRepresentatives building and City Hall.<\/p>\n
Last week, state-owned oil company Pertamina promised that
\nJakarta would experience no difficulties, such as panic buying,
\nahead of the rises, saying the firm had beefed up its gasoline
\nstocks.<\/p>\n
\"For Jakarta, we have prepared a total of 7,600 kiloliters of
\ngasoline,\" Pertamina spokesman Ramli Djaffar said, adding the
\namount included premium, diesel oil, kerosene and bunker fuel.<\/p>\n
The company, he said, was prepared for dropping fuel directly
\nto areas reporting shortages but asked local government to watch
\nthe distribution.<\/p>\n
Officer Yuwanto said: \"To secure the distribution of gas and
\nessential goods, Jakarta Police will conduct a joint operation
\nwith neighboring West Java and East Java Police to secure the
\nnorthern coastal area of Java to ensure smooth distribution.\"<\/p>\n
PD Pasar Jaya head Syahrir Tanjung said the public had no
\nreason to worry about the supply of basic needs and staple
\nfoodstuffs as there were adequate stocks so far.<\/p>\n
\"The public have nothing to worry about because we have enough
\nstocks and so far the prices of basic goods are still stable,\"
\nSyahrir said.<\/p>\n
Media reports have said the price of several items, such as
\nnoodles, eggs, and milk formula has started to increase over the
\npast few days.<\/p>\n
People have also reported that goods have started disappearing
\nfrom the markets.<\/p>\n
\"Some distributors began hoarding items, waiting for new
\nprices in line with the fuel hike,\" said a shop manager.
\n(dja\/bsr)<\/p>",
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