DPR's incompetence

DPR's incompetence

From Pikiran Rakyat

Many circles have given their comments on the price increases of fuel and made their analyses on the impact of the price hike. All versions concluded that the fuel price increases would only add to the suffering of the little people. I wonder whether the government listens to the people's voice.

Whatever reasons the government had in its policy to increase the fuel prices -- to abolish the government's subsidies or to bow to the IMF requirements -- the people hearts are opposing to that ruling. The people can only speak through their hearts not their mouths. It is ironic enough even the members of the House of Representatives are incompetent to voice the people's aspirations, let alone to take any actions. They are completely dumb.

We are totally ignorant if the honorable members have their salaries paid from the government's coffer or from the people's money. On the other hand, the government was also reluctant to consult the House of Representatives on this matter. It might think that the House is non-existent. In addition, the government repeatedly made statements which only made the people more confused or rather made the little people look more stupid. For example, the government said that fuel price hike of about 71 percent would not affect the buying power of the low-income people, but only affect the richer class of the society who own cars. This only serves as a lullaby for the people.

Didn't the minister consider the far-reaching effect of that policy, once it got implemented? Our experiences have taught us many a time that such statements of the government have no significance at all. The reality in the practice is always quite the opposite.

I speak only through logic not based on scientific consideration. My logic says that if the fuel price is increased, then the price of the basic commodities will definitely follow suit. How can the commodities get to the market without being transported by vehicles which use fuel to get their engines going? This is my logic, sir, as a layman.

S. SATIAGRAHA

Bandung, West Java