'We have to start cutting back on things'<\/p>\n
Shortly after the government announced fuel prices were going up
\nbeginning March 1, the prices of basic commodities and
\ntransportation costs began rising. This proved to be a double
\nwhammy for residents already trying to cope financially with the
\nfuel price hike. The Jakarta Post asked residents for their
\nopinion on the matter.<\/p>\n
Joice Adelina, 24, is an accountant at an export company on
\nJl. Guntur in South Jakarta. She lives with her family in Tebet,
\nSouth Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I have already felt the blow of the latest fuel price
\nincreases, especially in my transportation expenses.<\/p>\n
Although most bus crews haven't raised fares yet, I have to
\ndig deeper into my pocket because I can't stand not to give them
\nmore.<\/p>\n
I don't know how they could afford the skyrocketing prices of
\nbasic commodities if passengers continued to pay the old fares.<\/p>\n
Almost every day my family complains about how much more
\nexpensive everything is, such as when we dine out together.<\/p>\n
At my office everyone is grumbling about having to cut back on
\nthings to save money, especially those who are married.<\/p>\n
Some of the people in the office have started to bring in
\ntheir lunches to save money.<\/p>\n
We all know that we have to cut back on things because we
\ncannot expect a raise.<\/p>\n
Sumardi, 50, is a taxi driver who owns his cab. He lives with
\nhis wife in Cikini, Central Jakarta:<\/p>\n
It's better for the government to subsidize programs for the
\npoor instead of keeping fuel prices artificially low, which just
\nleads to smuggling.<\/p>\n
This way, at least in theory, those who need assistance will
\nreceive it.<\/p>\n
Lots of people in my neighborhood need all the help they can
\nget. Whether or not the subsidies will reach them is another
\nquestion. But let's give the government the benefit of the doubt.<\/p>\n
Luckily, my family has not had to depend on any form of
\ngovernment assistance. I once tried the rice that the government
\nhands out to the poor, but I gave it back when I realized that it
\nwas of poor quality. Let the government raise prices. As long as
\nthe economy and security keep improving, it's fine with me.<\/p>\n
--The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/we-have-to-start-cutting-back-on-things-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }