SBY calls for unity in energy crisis

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono invited leading political and public figures to the State Palace on Thursday for prayers with a message, to forge a united front to face the current energy crisis.

"I beg for your patience, understanding and support so that we can weather this crisis," the President said in a brief off-the- cuff speech before the prayers. "This calls for togetherness and a lot of hard work."

The government has come under attack from its detractors in the House of Representatives and from students and non- governmental organizations for raising the domestic prices of fuel by 80 percent for gasoline, and nearly 300 percent for kerosene, which is widely used for cooking by the poor.

The increase came into effect just days before the start of Ramadhan. Some believe the fasting has meant that protests about the move, while vocal, have been few, and students and some non- governmental organizations say they plan massive street demonstrations after Ramadhan ends next week.

Meanwhile, the program to give cash benefits to the poor to help them weather the price hikes has gone awry, with chaotic and uneven distribution in many areas leading to deaths and injuries. The rises have also pushed inflation skywards, past single digits, with some analysts predicting it could hit 14 percent for 2005.

The President likened the country's current energy crisis, triggered by soaring international oil prices, with previous major crises the nation had faced, including December's devastating tsunami in Aceh and the 1998 political and economic crisis, along with many others during Indonesia's 60 years of independence.

One of the biggest lessons of these previous predicaments, he noted, was that the nation united to face and eventually overcome them.

"We have to stay optimistic. The storm shall pass," he said.

In the case of the Aceh tsunami, the President underlined the huge expressions of solidarity that the disaster prompted within Indonesia and around the world.

Every crisis, he said, brought the best out of the nation, and the nation's energy problems had spurned new initiatives and creative ideas.

These included new energy diversification and conservation programs that were now underway.

His brief speech was followed by a short sermon delivered by Nasaruddin Umar, the rector of the Institute for the Koranic Science (PTIQ) Network in Jakarta.

After breaking fast, the President, Vice President Jusuf Kalla and guests conducted the Maghreeb (dusk) prayers together.