Jokowi Announces New Fuel Prices
18 November 2014 01:50 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo last night, November 17, announced the new prices of subsidized fuel. The price for subsidized gasoline (Premium) is raised to Rp8,500 per liter. Subsidized diesel (Solar) price is also raised by Rp2,000 per liter to Rp7,500 per liter.
"The new prices will be valid as of 00.00 pm on November 18, 2014," Widodo said.
The president promised the policy will help create better national development, since the focus in subsidies will no longer be in the consumption sector.
As collateral, Jokowi said, the government will encourage the distribution and utilization of subsidies for the poor through the Family Welfare Card, the Indonesia Smart Card, and the Indonesia Health Card. The will also provide assistance and protection for people that are most affected by the fuel hike.
"These [cards] will improve the poor's purchasing power," said Jokowi.
When announcing the price increase, Jokowi was accompanied by Vice President Jusuf Kall and a number of ministers from the Work Cabinet.
FRANSISCO ROSARIANS