Analyst views postponement of fuel price increase as a mature step

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Public policy expert Trubus Rahardiansyah views the government’s policy of postponing the increase in fuel oil (BBM) prices as a mature step. He explained that the statement by the Minister for State Secretary (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi is an appropriate move from a public policy perspective. “This means the government has a well-thought-out plan regarding the BBM pricing policy,” Trubus said when contacted by ANTARA in Jakarta on Tuesday. According to him, the current government policy is very pro-public, meaning it greatly considers and protects the interests of the people’s welfare. “This indicates that the President has exerted all efforts to avoid any fuel price increase. What I see is that the government is consistent in controlling BBM prices,” he stated. He also noted that the government prioritises economic stability. “In terms of stability, this includes political stability. I see that the government prioritises broad public interests, so the BBM issue has been managed accordingly,” he said. He suspects that the narratives of panic circulating in society regarding fuel prices are created by individuals who oppose the government’s views. “The public’s panic stems from issues fabricated by those who have long opposed the government,” he said. Trubus emphasised that Indonesia’s current condition is relatively good and that fuel stocks need to be maintained. He also advised the government to be wary of fuel smuggling abroad. “Because many of our people are ‘naughty’. If smuggling occurs, that’s what is concerning,” he said.