Muhammadiyah Youth Wing Asks Govt to Cancel Fuel Price Hike

Jakarta (Antara) - The youth wing of the Muhammadiyah Islamic organization has called on the entire Indonesian nation to ask the government to cancel its decision to raise subsidized fuel prices. "Indonesia does not belong only to those who can afford to buy fuels or those who are in power. Oil is the natural wealth of our country and must be utilized to promote the people's welfare instead of adding to their hardships," the chief of the youth wing, Saleh Partaonan Daulay, said in a short text message on Tuesday. By reducing fuel subsidy on the pretext of diverting them to develop infrastructure and improve health and educational services, the government has put the burden of the state's spending on its people, he said. "The people's welfare must be improved. However, less than a month since taking office, the government 'kills' their purchasing power and 'buries' their great dream of improving their fate along with the President of the people's choice, Joko Widodo," he noted. (*)