Fuel oil price hike<\/p>\n
From Merdeka<\/p>\n
Is there a close link between campaign promises made during
\nthe May 1997 general election and the government's preparations
\nto increase the price of fuel oil? The government considers it
\nnecessary to increase the price of fuel oil owing to the
\nincreasing amount of government subsidies to the sector and the
\nweakening of the rupiah's exchange rate against the U.S. dollar.
\nIronically, fuel oil is derived from the country's natural
\nwealth, which is abundantly available according to relevant
\nexperts.<\/p>\n
Economists are generally unanimous in their opinion that the
\nnational economic situation is getting worse and that the rupiah
\ncrisis has prompted businessmen to raise the prices of their
\ncommodities and services. With respect to the concept of a fuel
\noil price hike, it is generally believed that the prices of other
\ncommodities and daily necessities such as rice, corn, sago,
\nbeancurds, soybean cake, etc. would also rise.<\/p>\n
If one is to spotlight the policy promises made during the
\ngeneral election campaign, it is only logical that attention
\nshould be devoted to the campaign conducted by the winning party.
\nIt is known the world over that the Functional Group (Golkar) was
\nvictorious in the recent general election. The international
\ncommunity, therefore, is now interested in the way Golkar will
\ntry to handle the impacts of globalization. In experts'
\nestimates, negative repercussions for Indonesia from
\nglobalization stem from the slow reform of the New Order's
\npolitical system, which, having been enforced in the last
\none-and-a-half decades, is now virtually outdated.<\/p>\n
In this context, it should not be forgotten that common
\npeople, those in low-income brackets, willingly leave their fate
\nto their fellow countrymen who are elected to govern this
\ncountry. Usually considered wise, they are entrusted to execute
\nthe mandate given them by the people.<\/p>\n
At this juncture, the promises made by Golkar during its
\nelection campaign should be well remembered. Golkar made a pledge
\nthat it would side with small and medium-sized businesses and
\ncooperatives during our national economic development. It also
\npromised that it would improve people's economic condition
\nthrough cooperatives and state or private companies. Golkar is
\naiming at abolishing poverty, reducing the rate of unemployment
\nand scrapping monopolies and oligopolies.<\/p>\n
As for the substance of the campaigns conducted by the other
\ntwo contestants in the general election, it generally related to
\nefforts to improve the quality of work.<\/p>\n
The United Development Party promised to fight for economic
\ndevelopment benefiting people at large. To achieve this goal,
\nthey claimed it is necessary to pass a decree through the
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly, the highest institution in the
\ncountry, concerning economic democracy and introduce laws
\nrelating to small and medium-sized businesses. The party also
\nproposed that the assembly should also pass a decree on natural
\nresources management.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Democratic Party promised to strive for
\npolitical solutions to a host of problems stemming from gaps
\nbetween regions, sectors and social layers. The party believes
\nthat an economic solution alone would not be adequate in this
\nrespect. It claims that development does not simply mean
\nconstructing buildings and airports, but rather it involves
\nconscience.<\/p>\n
SUNGKOWO SOKAWERA<\/p>\n
Bandung, West Java<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/fuel-oil-price-hike-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }