Ex-political bigwigs meet again

Several bygone politicians meet for a fourth time in recent months to discuss the current government's fuel policy; this time at the residence of former House of Representatives speaker Akbar Tandjung on Jl. Purnwawarman, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta.

The meeting on Thursday was attended byformer president Megawati Soekarnoputri, former chief security minister Wiranto, former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, former vice president Try Sutrisno and Akbar Tandjung.

They urged the government to drop its plan to increase fuel prices, saying it would only create difficulties for the people.

The former national leaders warned President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of impending social instability if the government proceeded with the fuel hike plan, as public protests were continuing against it across the country.

The government has said it would raise fuel prices by at least 50 percent early next month in a bid to help ease the burden of the state budget in covering the increasingly expensive fuel subsidy amid rising international oil prices.

During their previous gathering, the semi-retired politicians also called on the government to refrain from raising fuel prices. --JP