House factions to discuss response to fuel hikes

Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In the wake of protests against fuel price increases, a group of House of Representatives legislators are preparing political moves against the government's decision.

House Speaker Agung Laksono said on Wednesday that the House would probably assemble on Friday to discuss the issue and take an official stance.

"The House steering committee will hold a meeting to discuss a proposal from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) for an extraordinary plenary session to respond the fuel price hikes," Agung said.

He added that PDI-P's proposal had won support from several other political parties.

There has been a wave of demonstrations across the country protesting the government's decision to raise fuel prices by an average 29 percent as of Tuesday. Prices of basic commodities and public transport fares have gone up as a result of the new fuel policy.

Separately, several House legislators representing the National Awakening Party (PKB) sought support on Wednesday for their motion for an inquiry into the government's move.

"Our motion is in accordance with House standing orders and Law No. 22/2003 on the composition and connection of legislative bodies that allows lawmakers to investigate alleged violations committed by the government," chief of the PKB faction Ali Masjkur Musa said.

As of Wednesday, 15 legislators had signed their support for the motion. Such motions require the support at least 13 lawmakers from more than one faction in order for it to be discussed in a plenary session.

A House inquiry into former president Abdurrahman Wahid's involvement in a scam led to his impeachment in 2001.

The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the National Mandate Party (PAN), the United Development Party (PPP) and the Prosperous Peace Party (PDS) have also expressed their opposition to the fuel price hikes, but they have not decided what action they will take.

PKS faction chairman Untung Wahono said his party rejected the hikes because they lacked the political support of the House and violated Law No 36/2004 on the 2005 state budget that requires the government to consult the House in the event of budget revisions.

"Raising fuel prices is not the only alternative available to reduce the deficit in the state budget. The government could push for efficiency and reduce leakage in the state budget instead," he said.

Agung and Ali Masjkur were of the same opinion, saying that relevant House commissions had not approved the fuel price hikes. They claimed also that the government did not anticipate the impact of the policy.

Ali Masjkur said many parties have demanded that the fuel price increases be delayed.