Lacking in consistency

Lacking in consistency

When the government submitted its draft state budget for the
current fiscal year, among the things mentioned were salaries for
civil servants and military personnel would be raised. To augment
state revenues, government subsidies for fuel and electricity
would be cut, which means their prices would increase.

However, when the government tried to implement these
decisions, it was met with protests, demonstrations and even
strikes. As a result, all these decisions have been delayed. The
situation has been made worse as teachers -- who had earlier
barred their students from staging demonstrations -- felt
compelled to take to the streets to make their demands (for
better pay) heard.

We quite understand the reason for these protests. They
erupted because so many of the government's decisions appear ill-
planned and are not being adequately explained to the people.
Everything seems to be done in haste.

-- Republika, Jakarta