Electricity rates increase every three months. That is the

Electricity rates increase every three months. That is the outcome of a deal reached between the government and the House of Representatives.

The third increase this year is around 6 percent, meaning that consumers must pay Rp 550 per kilowatt-hour (KWh), beginning this month.

Public outcry at constant increases in electricity rates is quiet understandable. The grassroots economy has yet to recover, while people suffer from increases in other commodity prices.

The public do understand that they have to share the nation's burden. However, the problem is that many have taken advantage, amid the people's suffering, by being corrupt and engaging in collusion and nepotism.

Another reason people get upset is that the state electricity company, PLN, has failed to provide its best in serving the public.

While the nation is suffering this multidimensional turbulence, all citizens must join together to save the state. No single citizen has the right to place an additional burden on the government.

It is interesting to recall statements made by Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Jusuf Kalla some time ago, that in reality, no individual citizen had been adversely affected by the economic crisis. The government had taken over the debts of the conglomerates, while unhealthy banks had also benefited from the government's generosity in terms of new capital. The government had also guaranteed the security of people's bank deposits.

-- Kompas, Jakarta