'Cost of living goes up every year'

The government plans to increase general gasoline and kerosene prices in the first quarter of next year, after upping the prices of liquefied petroleum gas and high octane fuels last week. The Jakarta Post asked residents about their opinions on this issue that has sparked protests nationwide.

Sofyan, 35, is a driver of public minivan serving Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta and Meruya in West Jakarta. He has three school-age children:

Life will be harder for me if the government increases fuel prices because it will certainly be followed by an increase in basic commodity prices.

I have had fewer and fewer passengers during the past two years because there are already too many public vehicles serving this route.

The city transportation agency continuously issues permits for new minivans although the number has reached over 600 now. The officials are only thinking of their own interests because issuing permits means more money for them.

Drivers will be doubly hit by these price hikes because the rental fees charged by the owners will also increase, while we will also have to pay more for gasoline.

Lina, 50, owns a building materials shop in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta. She lives with her family in Kedoya, West Jakarta:

I didn't know that prices had increased until the next day when I filled up my car. I usually pay Rp 100,000 (US$10.86) for my car and I get a full tank, but that day I gave the guy at the gas station the same amount of money and my tank was only three- quarters full.

The price hike will also affect my business as I will have to raise the prices of my goods and it could affect the demand for them.

I don't really understand why oil prices increase every year. It seems like our living costs are increasing every year while our incomes stay the same. It must be unbearable for those on low incomes.

-- The Jakarta Post