House to summon Minister of Mines and Energy
Protest over planned increase in fuel, electricity prices intensify
Thursday, March 2 2000 - 04:30 AM WIB
The House of Representatives fuel and electricity tariff team would summon Minister of Mines and Energy Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono next week following protest from the left-wing People's Democratic Party (PRD), and the Forkot radical student organization over the planned increase in fuel and electricity tariff.
Head of the House tariff team Pramono Anung said on Wednesday that the Minister must explain to the protesters about the need to raise the fuel prices and electricity tariff.
Pramono was speaking to the press after receiving representatives of the two protesting organizations. The protesters vowed to continue to stay in the House until the government back down from its plans to raise the prices of the two commodities.
The government plans to raise fuel prices by an average 12 percent, and electricity tariff by 29 percent.
Several political parties including Golkar, and the National Awakening Party (PKB) had opposed to the plans.
Separately, the Republika daily quoted to automotive executives Subronto Laras from car maker PT Indomobil and Adirizal Nizar from PT Astra International as saying that the planned increase in the fuel and electricity prices would have negative impact on car sales.
The two urge the government to delay the plans.(*)