REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Protest rallies against the government policy to raise subsidized fuel oil prices are natural occurrences, Coordinating Minister for Economy Hatta Rajasa said recently. "I think the protest rallies are natural in a democratic country, so long they are conducted in an orderly way and without violence, and therefore there is no need for the government to react excessively," Hatta said at the Vice Presidential Palace.

He noted that it could even become a challenge for the government to educate the public about an unpopular policy that is needed to protect the nation`s economy.

"The task of the government is to explain to the demonstrators that the policy is good and will save the national economy," added the economic minister.

Hatta explained that the government policy to raise subsidized fuel oil prices would, in the long term, save the national economy and maintain the momentum of present economic growth. The government is planning to raise the price of subsidized fuel oil on April 1 because of soaring world oil prices. Hatta added, the assumption of 2012 state budget, set at 90 dollars per barrel, was no longer realistic since world oil prices reached 110 USD per barrel.

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