Fuel prices

Fuel prices

From Suara Karya

At the end of last year, when I was in the U.S., I bought unleaded gasoline at prices -- depending on the trademark -- equivalent to a range from Rp 703 to Rp 720 per liter. Pertamina is said to have produced unleaded gasoline which is sold at Rp 1,000 a liter.

On my recent trip to China, I bought gasoline at a price equivalent to Rp 600. On my question whether the gasoline was unleaded, the pump attendant said, "There is only one type of gasoline here." I assumed it was in the same category as our premium pollutive gasoline.

In Indonesia, premium gasoline costs Rp 700 a liter. In oil- poor countries like China, gasoline is cheaper than in relatively oil-rich countries like Indonesia, an OPEC member. It is curious but it is a fact.

Considering the above facts, a reasonable and appropriate price for gasoline here should be Rp 500 a liter for premium and Rp 650 a liter for unleaded gasoline.

We all long for the permanent reduction of fuel prices by the postelection government. Fuel prices are some of the important barometers indicating the level a of high-cost economy.

T.P. TANDANG

Jakarta