House likely to accept fuel price increase

House likely to accept fuel price increase

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Medan

Contentious debate in the House of Representatives over the fuel
price increase continued on Sunday, with pro-government factions
gaining an upper hand as they prepare for Monday's plenary
session.

As of 10 p.m. on Sunday no agreement had been reached among
leaders of House factions, who met behind closed doors to help
settle the lengthy debate that started last Monday.

Significant changes to the political configuration in the
House occurred after the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the
Prosperous Peace Party (PDS) decided to accept the government's
policy.

While the PDS had opposed the increase and demanded a vote to
settle the debate, PAN had been somewhat indecisive as it
objected to the policy but suggested that the issue be settled by
the relevant House commissions.

"We are going to accept the fuel price hike, because it's the
government's right to increase it. But the House can play its
part when we deliberate the state budget revision," PAN lawmaker
Ahmad Farhan Hamid said.

Sunday's meeting was chaired by House Speaker Agung Laksono
and attended by leaders of all 10 House factions, except the
National Awakening Party (PKB), which also plans to snub Monday's
session.

The latest development in the House has isolated the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) as the faction's
109 seats is far from enough to push for a political move against
the government regarding the fuel price issue.

Earlier in the day, PDI-P said its opposition to the fuel
price hike was not negotiable.

"Our faction has never considered a deal with the government
because none of our members sit in the Cabinet. Instead, we have
struck a deal with the people who suffer the most from the
increased fuel prices," chairman of the party's faction in the
House Tjahjo Kumolo said.

He said the faction was doing its supervisory job.

"Instead of listening to our arguments and the people's voice,
the government has come up with the controversial policy," he
said.

Meanwhile, the government expressed optimism that the House
would support the government's policy, saying that most factions
understand the financial problems the country is facing.

"I am sure the House will not establish a stance against the
policy because, basically, they understand the difficulties
facing the government and the nation," Vice President Jusuf Kalla
said on the conclusion of his two-day visit to Sumatra on Sunday.

He admitted that Golkar Party, which holds the most seats in
the House, has been busy approaching House factions to prevent
the House from moving against the fuel policy.

Kalla, who also chairs Golkar, said the lobby was aimed at
reaching "a positive outcome."

"It's not final yet, but the Golkar Party expects to continue
the talks for a better result," he said in Medan, without
elaborating.

Separately, leader of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Ali
Masykur Musa questioned the change in mind of certain factions on
the issue.

He said the changes took place after the House leaders managed
to buy time, during which he suspected back-room deals had taken
place.

"I have no proof, but I can feel it. I regret this kind of
politicking," he added.

The government also dismissed speculation of a Cabinet
reshuffle involving ministers whose parties displayed resistance
to the fuel price hike.

But the reshuffle may take place anyway in October, according
Kalla.

"That (the speculation) is not true. We will not dismiss
ministers until (they have served) one year in office (in
October)," Kalla said

Rumor has it that Susilo and Kalla have put pressure on the
three parties to prevent any House move to take a political
stance against the government over the fuel policy, although the
government does not need House approval to increase fuel prices.