House of Representatives: Subsidised Fuel Price Policy Remains a Form of Support for the People

Jakarta - A member of the House of Representatives’ Commission XI, Wihadi Wiyanto, assessed the government’s decision to maintain subsidised fuel prices as a manifestation of support for the people amid economic pressures and the still-high energy needs in society. “This is a policy that favours the people. Why? Because in the current situation, fuel is very important. If there is an increase, what will happen is a decline in purchasing power, rising inflation, and an unhealthy economic situation for the public,” said Wihadi during a public discussion in Jakarta on Thursday. He explained that in the current conditions, the role of fuel remains highly dominant in supporting daily activities of the public, from transportation to the distribution of goods and services. Therefore, any price changes will be directly felt by the wider community. Regarding supply availability, he also assured that fuel stocks are in a safe condition and need not be worried about. According to him, supplies continue to run smoothly and are not impacted by distribution route dynamics in the Strait of Hormuz, as Indonesia also has supply sources from other regions. As for the work-from-home (WFH) policy for fuel savings, Wihadi views the government’s step as the right decision to promote efficiency, particularly in energy use and budgeting. The experience of implementing WFH during the previous COVID-19 pandemic, said Wihadi, showed that public services could still run well. Activities in vital sectors such as security and health also continued without significant obstacles. He added that the WFH policy is not only related to fuel savings but also to the use of other energy sources like electricity, which has also received government support. Current technological developments and digitalisation also enable various work activities and coordination to be carried out remotely. This is seen as able to reduce mobility needs without disrupting work effectiveness. Wihadi further emphasised that the House of Representatives, together with the government, will continue to promote and implement policies optimally while maintaining domestic stability amid the current situation still shrouded in global uncertainties. “The House of Representatives and the government are committed to working to the maximum. In the current situation, how do we together handle the energy crisis and ensure we remain existent and survive,” said Wihadi.