REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- House Speaker Marzuki Alie is confident that the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) will be consistent in its long-standing stance to reject subsidized fuel oil price hikes.

Marzuki informed reporters on Monday that he supported the viewpoint of PDIP, which says it will use creative means to increase budget efficiency, increase revenues through taxes, such as liquor tax and collection of accounts receivable from other countries, apart from reducing fuel subsidies.

"I am certain about their consistent refusal to cut fuel subsidy, and of course, I along with all the people of Indonesia will support PDIP's measures to tackle the budget deficit," he stressed.

He is also certain that the party will take all creative steps without having to cut fuel subsidies for the people of Indonesia such as increasing budget efficiency, tax revenues, among several other measures.

Increasing fuel prices, as currently voiced by the PDIP elite, should be the last option, not the first one, to address the deficit, according to Marzuki.

"If all efforts to tackle the deficit have been made but no other choice is left, then it is fine (to raise fuel prices)," he pointed out.

However, Marzuki emphasized that the impact on the community must be considered, and the increase in fuel price should not have a negative impact on the lives of the people or even become dramatically worst.

He cited the example of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who increased the fuel prices but provided direct cash assistance to the poor to cope with the drastic changes in their lives. In addition, the people are also offered scholarships and other development programs that can benefit them.

"Cash assistance was given to the poor as a result of the fuel price hike. The poor are helped through these programs because they are unable to handle the impact of the fuel price hike," he added.

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