REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SEMARANG -- Central Java's Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) expects that the subsidized fuel policy should not be politicized for the interests of certain factions.

"Do not allow the issue of subsidized fuel price hike be used as a political bargaining power because it will have an adverse effect on the budget, which has swelled due to subsidies," urged Apindo chairman Frank Kongi here on Tuesday.

Kongi stated that the government should immediately decide their stance on the rising subsidized fuel prices to avoid a negative impact on other sectors.

"Our budgets that are targeted to work on other projects will be discharged only to subsidies, so the government should immediately take a decision," Kongi stressed.

Kongi added that the policy of raising fuel price must not be used as a political weapon between the current administration and the next because it will only hurt the economy.

"The incumbent government should immediately curb the issue, as price hike is a vital issue that could influence every sector of the economy," Kongi warned.

Kongi pointed out that businessmen had always been supporting subsidized fuel price rise for the last several years, so that some of the revenue could be allocated for other development activities, such as infrastructure.

"The hike should be made to approach an economical price of Rp9000-Rp10,000 per liter, while bringing down community unrest gradually, for example, Rp500 per liter each month," Kongi suggested.

The increase in fuel price subsidies should certainly not interfere with the operation of the whole industry because the industry has begun using coal fuel.

"It will be a problem if the subsidized fuel price is not promptly raised, as it will reduce competitiveness of local products," Kongi added.

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