Fuel price hikes provoke anti-Susilo protests
Jakarta (AsiaNews) Thousands of people took to the streets in many Indonesian cities to protest the government's decision to raise fuel prices. Student activists and public transport drivers staged rallies in ten cities to voice their opposition to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's decision to cut subsidies to gasoline which has led to a 29 per cent jump in price. Now, a litre of gas costs 2,400 rupiahs (US$ 2) compared to the old price of 1,800.
Demonstrations have so far been peaceful. In Makassar, in the eastern part of the country, hundreds of students have blocked roads. In Jakarta, where the government has deployed 13,000 police and security officers, demonstrators have burnt rubber tires and shouted slogans against the president.
For many President Susilo's decision amounts to an admission of failure in the fight against corruption and poverty.
In his defence President Susilo said that his government has allocated at least 10.5 trillions of rupiahs (US$ 1.14 billions) in a special poverty fund for scores of programs including education and health services. This sum comes in addition to the 7.3 trillion rupiahs already budgeted to assist low-income families and individuals.
Mr Susilo said that by reducing fuel subsidies (which last year reached 59 billion rupiahs) the government can reinvest savings into programmes that will benefit those most in need.
For some political analysts, yesterday's protest is President Susilo's first litmus test since his election in September 2004.
Recently, the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI) released a statement saying that more than 10 million people could be easily mobilised and stage rallies and strikes to challenge the new administration.
Rising fuel prices is not the only reason for the widespread dissent; partisan politics, too, are playing a role.
"Protest could grow if Susilo's adversaries decide to use disaffection as a tool against the president," LSI's director Denny JA.
The president's adversaries are indeed getting louder. The leader of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Amien Rais, criticised the price hike saying that the government did not have a clue about how and where the poor lived.
Opposition PAN and Hidayat Nur Wahid's Justice and Prosperous Party (PKS) have tabled a motion calling for an investigation on how government funds for the poor have been spent.
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29/10/2020 09:55
