Susilo allays concerns of RI New Yorkers

Susilo allays concerns of RI New Yorkers

Kornelius Purba, The Jakarta Post, New York

Everyone in the country may be waiting for the decision on the
fuel hike -- so in New York, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
briefed the Indonesian community on Friday evening about the
plan, in addition to results of his visit to the United States.

The Indonesians, however, were more interested in asking him
about the violent closure of several churches in Indonesia and
about the controversial edicts issued recently by the Indonesian
Ulema Council (MUI), which declared liberalism and pluralism as
haram, or forbidden under Islam.

In explaining the fuel hike policy, Susilo said the government
had no choice, as it could no longer afford the subsidies with
the continuing increase in oil price. However, he expressed
confidence that impacts of the price hike could be minimized for
the poor, referring to the completion of a social welfare scheme
created specifically to protect the poor from the hike.

"I hope those who fully understand the rationale behind
increasing the fuel price will not make statements that can
confuse the public," said the President.

Thirty percent of the Rp 530 trillion budget next year should
be allocated toward the subsidy alone, he added.

Susilo acknowledged the distribution of the social welfare
scheme was a huge task, as some 60 million people with an average
monthly income of Rp 175,000 have been identified as being
entitled to the scheme.

Susilo said the price hike would be implemented gradually,
although government officials are repeatedly pointing out the
increasing budget deficit.

Susilo did not mention whether he would announce his decision
next month when Muslims enter Ramadhan, followed by Idul Fitri in
early November and then Christmas and New Year. The government
usually avoids taking controversial decisions during the back-to-
back holiday season.

"I would feel sad for the 'little people' if the government
increased the fuel price all at once," Susilo said, using the
Indonesian colloquialism for the poor.

Meanwhile, a Protestant priest expressed his concern about the
government's inability to stop violent closures of churches
across the country by a Muslim groups that claimed to be the
"true" representatives of Islam. The priest also raised issue
about the required permit to build a church, which was difficult
to obtain despite the freedom of religion guaranteed by the 1945
Constitution.

Susilo responded with an assurance that he had ordered his
subordinates to ensure that such violence would not be repeated.

He also disclosed that he received a lot of text messages and
letters to protest both the closures of the churches and the MUI
edict, and that he had ordered Minister of Religious Affairs M.
Maftuh Basyuni to gather first-hand information on the MUI's
reason for issuing the edicts.

"Pluralism actually enriches our nation," stressed the
President.

In a separate meeting with Indonesian journalists, Susilo
confirmed his plan to reshuffle the Cabinet in October, after he
had completed the first year of his five-year term.

"I will dismiss underperforming ministers," he said,
accompanied by Coordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal
Bakrie and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda.