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.