'We must accept the govt's decision'
<p>'We must accept the govt's decision'</p><p>In a bid to gradually lift subsidies on fuel, the government
began increasing the prices of liquefied petroleum gas and high
octane fuels in early December. The decision has sparked protests
from people concerned that the price of basic commodities will
rise as a result. The Jakarta Post asked residents for their
opinions on this issue.</p><p> Maryani, 30, works at a bank on Jl. Sudirman, Central Jakarta.
She is single and lives in Bumi Serpong Damai, Tangerang:</p><p>The planned fuel hike will, of course, burden us more because
it will be followed by a price increase in other commodities.</p><p>As we have learned from media reports, the government has no
other choice; so we must accept its decision.</p><p>However, I hope the government subsidy will really reach the
target end-users, so that the poor people will not be affected by
this policy.</p><p>From what I have read in several newspapers, the current fuel
subsidy is enjoyed mostly by the rich, because the gasoline they
buy for their cars are paid for in part with taxpayers' money.</p><p> Handoko, 35, drives a bus serving the route between Kampung
Rambutan, East Jakarta, and Senen, Central Jakarta. He lives with
his wife and two children in Kramatjati, East Jakarta:</p><p>I hope SBY (President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) will decide
not to increase fuel prices in the near future, because only
people of the low-income bracket like me will suffer from such a
policy.</p><p>Let's say that bus fares might be raised next year due to the
fuel price hike. But there is no guarantee that my income will
automatically increase, while my expenditures would certainly be
much greater than today.</p><p>SBY promised during his campaign that he would improve the
people's welfare. If he approves the price hike, it will be a
contradiction.</p><p>-- The Jakarta Post</p>
began increasing the prices of liquefied petroleum gas and high
octane fuels in early December. The decision has sparked protests
from people concerned that the price of basic commodities will
rise as a result. The Jakarta Post asked residents for their
opinions on this issue.</p><p> Maryani, 30, works at a bank on Jl. Sudirman, Central Jakarta.
She is single and lives in Bumi Serpong Damai, Tangerang:</p><p>The planned fuel hike will, of course, burden us more because
it will be followed by a price increase in other commodities.</p><p>As we have learned from media reports, the government has no
other choice; so we must accept its decision.</p><p>However, I hope the government subsidy will really reach the
target end-users, so that the poor people will not be affected by
this policy.</p><p>From what I have read in several newspapers, the current fuel
subsidy is enjoyed mostly by the rich, because the gasoline they
buy for their cars are paid for in part with taxpayers' money.</p><p> Handoko, 35, drives a bus serving the route between Kampung
Rambutan, East Jakarta, and Senen, Central Jakarta. He lives with
his wife and two children in Kramatjati, East Jakarta:</p><p>I hope SBY (President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) will decide
not to increase fuel prices in the near future, because only
people of the low-income bracket like me will suffer from such a
policy.</p><p>Let's say that bus fares might be raised next year due to the
fuel price hike. But there is no guarantee that my income will
automatically increase, while my expenditures would certainly be
much greater than today.</p><p>SBY promised during his campaign that he would improve the
people's welfare. If he approves the price hike, it will be a
contradiction.</p><p>-- The Jakarta Post</p>