'Fight fuel smuggling and hoarding'<\/p>\n
The steady increase in fuel prices has prompted some experts to
\ncall for the scrapping of the fuel subsidy. The Jakarta Post
\ninterviewed a number of residents to obtain their views on the
\ndebate over the merits of the subsidy.<\/p>\n
Tiara Aryanto, 28, is an IT consultant at a bank. She lives in
\nCentral Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I agree with cutting the fuel subsidy because citizens should
\nbe able to be self-supporting.<\/p>\n
But this option can only be applied under one condition: The
\ngovernment must be able to fight fuel smuggling and fuel
\nhoarding.<\/p>\n
Newspapers reported that the authorities had captured people
\ninvolved in fuel theft. Unfortunately, they were only small
\ngroups whereas the big mafia are still out there.<\/p>\n
I think that state oil and gas company Pertamina should be
\nable to put its own house in order first. Don't let the big mafia
\nbe if Pertamina knows who they are.<\/p>\n
Speaking about people in the low-income groups, I'm sure that
\nthe government is smart enough to come up with bright ideas to
\nhelp them. For example, if the fund from the Subdistrict
\nCommunity Empowerment Program is well-managed, I think people in
\nthe lower-income bracket can fulfill their needs.<\/p>\n
Alia An-Nadiva, 23, is a reporter with Nyata weekly in
\nKebayoran Lama. She lives in Salemba, Central Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I'll give my support if the government no longer subsidizes
\nfuel, which is too cheap compared with other countries.<\/p>\n
I just think that the government is not doing the right thing
\nby spoiling the rich people with cheap fuel and by opening the
\nopportunity for fuel smuggling.<\/p>\n
However, the government must make the people understand why it
\nhas to cut the fuel subsidy. I also think that the government
\nmust do it gradually, if we don't want to trigger mass protests.<\/p>\n
Maybe they can start with reducing the amount of money
\nallocated for the fuel subsidy, like they did in March, so people
\nwon't be shocked.<\/p>\n
It would be better if the Government also prepared some
\ncountermeasures that can be taken if the cut in the subsidy
\nsparked upheaval.<\/p>\n
-- The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/fight-fuel-smuggling-and-hoarding-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }