...the ones who have so far enjoyed fuel oil subsidies. It's not fair that the financially powerful and powerless are treated equally...Makassar, S Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - Former vice president Jusuf Kalla said fuel oil subsidies were so far being enjoyed only by a handful of people from the upper economic strata.
"They are the ones who have so far enjoyed fuel oil subsidies. It's not fair that the financially powerful and powerless are treated equally," the former vice president said here on Wednesday.
Kalla noted that the government needs to raise the fuel oil prices. Domestic oil prices must be adjusted to the increasing world prices, if not, the state would increase the amount of subsidies.
He explained that if the government did not adjust domestic fuel oil prices to the international prices, it would be challenged to pay the subsidies by using the public`s money.
"If the government pays the subsidies, it would be the rich with cars, houses and fully air-conditioned offices who will enjoy them. Is this fair?" the former vice president questioned.
Therefore, Kalla said, people of the upper economic strata need not enjoy the subsidies anymore. As the aim of the subsidies is to assist people of the lower economic strata.
(A014/INE)
Editor: Ade P Marboen
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