Electricity rates up again<\/p>\n
U.S. aggression in Iraq might have diverted Indonesians'
\nattention away from their economic burden. Many of us may have
\nforgotten that electricity charges increased by an average of 6
\npercent on April 1.<\/p>\n
The government has agreed that electricity rates shall
\nincrease by an average of 6 percent every three months. This will
\nobviously become a burden for citizens in their daily lives.<\/p>\n
Businesses have also been affected. Amid weakening exports,
\nthe increase in electricity rates will worsen the situation.
\nProduction costs will also rise, forcing producers to increase
\nthe price of their products. In such a situation imported goods
\nbecome very competitive.<\/p>\n
The domestic market also weakens under such circumstances.<\/p>\n
The problem will seem worse for consumers when they realize
\nthat state electricity company PLN has yet to improve its
\nprofessionalism, despite steady increases in electricity rates.<\/p>\n
In several parts of Sumatra the electricity supply is
\nregularly cut off once a week.<\/p>\n
There is always a classic reason for PLN to increase tariffs:
\nIts operational costs are higher than the price of the power sold
\nto its customers. This has been blamed for the financial losses
\nof PLN.<\/p>\n
It might be wise for the government to review its decision to
\nincrease electricity charges.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/electricity-rates-up-again-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }