REPUBLIKA, JAKARTA -- Deputy Governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (popularly known as Ahok) proposed to central government to revoke fuel subsidy in Jakarta. He saw that the use of fuel subsidy in Jakarta was very large, so the money was also large.
"I think fuel subsidy in Jakarta must be removed and the funds could be diverted to other development program," Ahok said recently.
Jakarta Provincial Government planned to ask Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to do this. However, Ahok said that a fuel subsidy removal plan could only be implemented if mass transportation in Jakarta was sufficient and adequate.
The removal is only implemented in capital city, while other regions are still allowed to keep using subsidized fuel. The fund can be used to finance development programs, such as infrastructure, transportation and others.
"I want this plan to be implemented soon. But of course we have to consider the condition of public transportation first. Public transportation must be addressed. Later, when it is better, then we do the lifting of fuel subsidy," Ahok said.