Fuel price hike hurts people

Fuel price hike hurts people

From Republika

The government's policy of raising fuel oil prices and
reducing fuel subsidies is likely to be adopted, and this is
going to hurt the public at large. The reality is, once fuel
prices are increased, virtually all prices for goods and services
will rise also.

The capitalist ideology that is applied in this country always
regards subsidies as something that spoils the people. The
government's role is only as a regulator with all other matters
being left up to people themselves to arrange.

When people try to overcome their economic hardships by
working as sidewalk vendors or pedicab drivers, for instance,
they are harassed by security officers for disturbing public
order. So who else will protect the people, if government
assistance is seen as spoiling them?

In Islam, the authorities are public servants, not the other
way around. Because of that authorities have to work hard to do
away with oppression, hunger, poverty and other sufferings. It is
their job to prevent economic distortions and to ensure that the
proceeds of the nation's natural resources are returned to
society.

RINAWATI
Majalengka, West Java