JP/7/let

JP/7/let

President needs to be consistent

From Kontan

Several days before the fuel prices were raised, President
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the increase would be around 30
percent or 50 percent at the maximum. But strangely, the rise
later turned out to be an average of 100 percent and even more
than 200 percent for kerosene, widely consumed by ordinary
people.

A president should have credibility by keeping his or her word
so as to maintain authority and dignity. Any attitude of
hesitation, indecision and lack of consistency should be avoided.

The general public is wondering what really happened before
the Cabinet finally decided to announce such a big increase, and
whether the President thoroughly considered the matter with his
deepest conscience as a man of rural origins.

The fuel price hike has caused hardship to tens of millions of
people, particularly those in villages. The prices of goods and
services have risen by over 50 percent.

Let us hope that the rumored twin national leadership, in
which the power of the chief executive is apparently reduced,
will not materialize. People have made the right choice, yet the
top leader needs to take the helm of the administration fully and
listen to the voice of the people.

In this way, the President will not only follow the logical
analysis of his aides alone, as the common people cannot afford
to be burdened with skyrocketing prices. Therefore, a downward
revision of fuel prices resulting in a maximum increase of 50
percent as originally stated should be allowed.

H.J. YUWONO
Jakarta