REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- President-elect Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and vice president-elect Jusuf Kalla (JK) do not have to beg President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to raise the prices of subsidized oil fuel (BBM) in a bid to cut the budget deficit, an observer said.

"Even if the Jokowi-JK administration has to raise the BBM price a big move should follow to change budget appropriation," Executive Director of Pusaka Trisakti Fahmi Habsyi said here on Sunday.

Jokowi has said the subsidy on BBM should be cut to be appropriated for other productive program such as subsidies on fertilizer and seeds for farmers.

Fahmi said so far the budget had been used to satisfy "oil Mafia" and corrupt bureaucrats.

"The budget should be appropriated more for the program to accelerate development and improve the people's welfare," he said.

He said raising the BBM price should not be made the target but how to cut BBM imports which has benefited the oil Mafia and corrupt officials.

"The Jokowi-JK administration should not hesitate to cut BBM imports by raising the prices," he said, adding the Jokowi-JK administration should not show hesitation and seek image projection that marked the present regime.

Fahmi further said the government of Yudhoyono has made a mistake by letting the country to continue to rely on import for BBM and taking no serious steps to reduce dependence on imports.

He urged the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and other law enforcing agencies to step in to launch investigation to root out Mafia like practice in BBM trade.

The people, then would see that raising the BBM price is followed with firm move to unearth alleged corrupt practices in BBM trade, he said.

The people have elected Jokowi and JK as they believed the two have high integrity to form a clean government, he said.

The Jokowi-JK government, therefore, should not hesitate to raise the BBM prices as the people know the real reason and purposes, he said.

He said the reason is to cope with limited fiscal space while it needs fund to carry out its more productive programs and to stamp out oil Mafia from the country.

"Organized crime has to be dealt with organized kindness," he said, adding Jokowi-JK has to organize kindness.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika