Why all this doubt?

The hike in fuel prices, electricity as well as telephone rates are unavoidable. The increase is caused by various factors that leave us with only two options: Raising the rates so that the companies can properly function or retaining the current rates with decreased quality of service and quantity of products.

Both electricity rates and fuel prices are going to be upped this month, while the increase in telephone rates has been postponed pending the authorization of the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications.

Whatever the reason, we cannot commend the government's attitude in allowing the simultaneous increase of essential rates.

The above increases are additional burdens for the people, because they will just gnaw away at their income, which have long been suppressed due to inflation. But the people have no choice, because, above all, the leaders in government are the choice of the people. The general public can only hope and pray that the fuel and electricity companies will be honest and efficient.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta