REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Several Indonesian students in some areas of the country organized protests over the hike in the prices of subsidized fuels announced by President Joko Widodo's government on Monday (Nov. 17).
The students in Kendari of South East Sulawesi Province protested to voice their concerns over the impact of increased fuel prices on the low-income group.
"The impact of the fuel price hike will weaken the people's purchasing power with regard to their daily necessities because the prices of commodities will also increase," the Coordinator of Law 33 Constitution 1945 National Movement (GNP) Mahyuddin remarked in Kendari on Thursday (20/11).
Mahyuddin pointed out that the government's policy to hike fuel prices will increase poverty since the people from economically backward classes will not be able to purchase subsidized fuel to carry out their economic activities.
The hike in fuel prices such as for premium and diesel fuels has caused the fishermen to fish in proximity to the dock as they cannot afford to purchase the required diesel fuel.
During the protest, GNP proposed several solutions to the government such as temporarily halting foreign debt payment, eliminating unnecessary state costs, and curbing routine expenditures of state officers.
Mahyuddin remarked that the government can confiscate the properties of corrupt citizens and fine some companies that have defaulted in their tax payments.
In the meantime, the students in Bengkulu Province also protested against the fuel price hikes by holding a peaceful demonstration at the Bengkulu Regional House of Representatives' office.
Chief of Public Relation for Bengkulu House of Representatives Bachrin praised the demonstrators for ensuring that the protest was held peacefully.
"The Regional House of Representatives is ready to meet them to deliver its aspirations in good intentions," Bachrin stated.
The students in Bengkulu Province have held the second day of protest after organizing the first protest on Wednesday (Nov. 19).
"The fuel price hikes tormented the low-income group. The government, in 2012, took a long period of time before deciding to increase the fuel price. But, President Joko Widodo has increased the fuel price soon after his inauguration as president," the demonstration coordinator Carminanda stated in Bengkulu on Wednesday.
President Joko Widodo decided to increase the price of subsidized fuel, including premium fuel, from Rp6.5 thousand to Rp8.5 thousand per liter and that of diesel oil from Rp5.5 thousand to Rp7.5 thousand per liter.
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