Nasdem Supports Fuel Price Hikes

Jakarta (Antara) - The National Democratic Party (NasDem) supports the government's plan to raise subsidized fuel prices, according to its Secretary General Patrice Rio Capella. "The NasDem is united in supporting the plan to hike subsidized fuel prices," Patrice stated here on Thursday. Patrice said his party supported the plan to increase fuel oil prices because the policy was in the interest of the people. He stressed that the price hike would not be based on global oil prices, but on the reduction in fuel subsidy that has burdened the state budget. "The reason for raising subsidized fuel prices is no longer the world crude price," he remarked, adding that the idea was not to adjust domestic prices according to global fuel prices, but to divert funds for long-term use such as the development of infrastructure. Patrice pointed out that he understood the government's desire to increase fuel prices because the amount of subsidy so far had been fantastic. He noted that an oil subsidy of about Rp400-500 trillion could hamper the development of infrastructure. "The country's fuel subsidy almost amounts to Rp400-Rp500 trillion. This is why our infrastructure is still not developed," Patrice stated. (*)