Party Chief Slams Plan to Raise Fuel Prices

Jember, E Java (ANTARA) - Chairman of the People's Conscience (Hanura) Party Wiranto has criticized the government's plan to raise fuel oil prices as a result of soaring global crude prices. "Raising fuel oil prices must be the last resort if the government has no other ways to curb budget leakage to give fuel subsidies," he said after opening the working meeting of the party's regional executive board here on Saturday. The government is considering raising fuel oil prices in the near future in response to tension in the Middle East that has sent global crude price soaring to a level of US$115 a barrel. Wiranto said the soaring global crude price was not a reason for the government to raise fuel oil prices. Instead, it must keep vigilant against many corrupt officials that had led to budget leakage. "If the money taken by corrupt officials can be recovered it may add to fuel subsidies in the state budget so the government need not raise fuel prices," he said. Noting that the government had not done much to promote the people's welfare, he said the looming fuel price hike would add to their sufferings. The government should sit together with the House of Representatives (DPR) to find a solution with regard to its plan to raise fuel prices, he said. "I will try to ask for detailed clarification of the government's plan to raise fuel prices through the representatives of Hanura Party in the DPR. The fuel price hike will add to the sufferings of the people who now live in misery," he said. (*)