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