National

President: Don’t Spread Rumors that Fuel Prices Will Rise Again”
Friday, 01 July, 2005 | 21:03 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has confirmed that he will not increase fuel prices until the end of this year.
“I confirm that there are no plans to increase fuel prices,” said the President Susilo carrying out an inspection at the Pertamina unloading port at Tanjung Priok, Jakarta.

The President was accompanied by Minister of Energy Purnomo Yusgiantoro together with Pertamina Managing Director Widya Purnama and Pertamina Trade Director Arie Soemarno.

Currently, rumors are rife that fuel prices will rise again because international oil prices have reached US$60 per barrel and also as there are fuel shortages in several regions in Indonesia.

However, according to Yudhoyono, members of the general public should not be affected by rumors about fuel price hikes.

“Please do not spread rumors that fuel prices will rise again,” said the President.

According to Yudhoyono, the government is trying to meet the daily needs of the general public.

“Don’t create issues as if the supply of fuels will run out,” said the President.

Yudhoyono said he considered such issues will only cause people rushing to seek fuels and horde as much as possible.

“Please control such rumors,” said the President.
Yudhoyono admitted that currently the government was having difficulties as the Rp8 trillion in subsidies allocated in the revised State Budget could not be adjusted to international oil prices that are now at the US$60 per barrel level.

Government subsidies have now in fact reached some Rp100 trillion.

“We’re making efforts to settle this. I hope members of the general public will understand,” Yudhoyono said.

According to the President, the public can see what efforts have been carried out by the government.

Originally, there were 10 areas where fuel levels were critical, but now there are only five such areas.

“We must cut this more and more until there are no areas where fuel levels are critical,” said Yudhoyono.
(Yophiandi-Tempo News Room)