Susilo pushes fuel price hike

Susilo pushes fuel price hike

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Rengas Dengklok

There was a little dirt in the eyes of the Regent of Rengas
Dengklok, Achmad Dadang, when he arrived at the main market of
the town, some 80 kilometers east of Jakarta, on Wednesday
morning.

With his official brown shirt looking a touch untidy, it was
quite apparent that he was not expecting a visit from the
nation's number one person.

In fact, everyone in the historic town was completely
surprised by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's impromptu
visit. The visit was aimed at monitoring the impact of fuel price
hikes his government announced on Monday.

Never before has an incumbent Indonesian President dropped by
this West Java town, which rose to prominence during the
independence struggle in 1945. At that time, a group of youths
took national leaders Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta to the town and
strongly urged them to proclaim Indonesia's independence.

Leaving Jakarta at about 6 a.m., the Presidential convoy,
using only eight cars rather than the usual 12, were caught in
traffic jams several times en route to the town. No police
officers were seen clearing the roads, as usually happens.

According to standard procedure, police stop all traffic
within three kilometers, or at least 10 minutes before, the
President and his entourage use any road.

Susilo's entourage included State Secretary Sudi Silalahi,
Minister of Trade Mari E. Pangestu, Minister of Agriculture Anton
Apriyantono and Minister of Transportation Hatta Radjasa.
Minister of Mining and Energy Purnomo Yusgiantoro joined them
later.

At a bus terminal, the entourage stopped to allow Susilo to
talk to some people. He was quickly thronged by residents wishing
to shake his hand.

The President then proceeded to the terminal office, only to
find that the terminal head had not arrived.

In the market, Susilo braved the muddy ground, to the surprise
of many people. He talked to some traders about the prices of
their goods and price increases.

Despite their appreciation for Susilo's unprecedented visit,
some vendors complained about losses they suffered as a result of
crowds damaging their goods.

The President then visited the small Proklamasi Hospital. He
asked an on-duty doctor to identify poor patients deserving of
free medication.

Those listening to the conversation were surprised by an
unidentified woman interjected, shouting: "Don't increase sembako
(basic commodities) prices!"

But Susilo kept cool. "This is why I make impromptu visits. I
have also ordered regents and district heads to check prices in
markets, terminals and gas stations. We'll do our best," he said.

The next destinations included the Karyasari Elementary
School, with buildings that appeared fragile and dilapidated, a
kerosene distributor, and a rice field where some farmers were
busy harvesting, as well as the Cibitung Market in Bekasi.

At the school, Susilo sang a song with the students and
promised to renovate the building.

Presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng said that
presidential advisors had chosen Rengas Dengklok as the place for
the president to visit to observe the impact of the fuel price
increases, however it was Susilo alone who decided where he would
stop.

Throughout the visit, Susilo told people that the government
was determined to improve their welfare. He also asked them to
exercise patience as it would take time to realize this goal.

The President also explained that the government had set up a
number of programs that would directly benefit the poor.

The trip ended at about 11 a.m. at a small restaurant offering
Padang cuisine near the Cibitung Market. Susilo ordered a nasi
(rice) Padang meal, eating in the traditional manner without
utensils.