"The governments policy has shocked the DPR (House of Representatives) because it was not discussed with the House. Therefore, the DPR rejects the governments plan to lift electricity subsidy and raise electricity tariffs for customers consuming 450-900 Kwh," Barends, who is a member of the House Commission VII, said here on Wednesday.
Barends clarified that she has taken the stand to support the government of President Joko Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla to keep their Nawa Cita (nine development goals) pledge to realize the "Trisakti" concept of founding father Soekarno, to make Indonesia sovereign in politics, economy and culture.
According to the politician of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), the governments decision to raise the electricity tariffs was never discussed at any working meeting between the House Commission VII and state electricity company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN).
In fact, the issue was not touched upon even at the last meeting held on April 24, she claimed.
"At the meeting last April, the discussion focused on electricity balance sheet, infrastructure and distribution, as well as developments in the 35,000 MW-capacity power plant project," she noted.
The government intends to scrap subsidy for 230,000 customers, arguing that they are longer entitled to it.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
