"Without removing fuel subsidy, trade balance is still deficit and rupiah is volatile, and this has disrupted the national economy," Apindo Chairman Sofjan Wanandi said.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Association of Indonesian Employers (Apindo) hoped that the government would remove energy subsidy to save the national economy.
"Without removing fuel subsidy, trade balance is still deficit and rupiah is volatile, and this has disrupted the national economy," Apindo Chairman Sofjan Wanandi said here on Thursday.
He said, the fuel subsidy elimination will enable the government to diver the budget allocations for other sectors such as infrastructure, education and health.
"Entrepreneurs need infrastructure development in Indonesia to expand their businesses. It will affect to the national economy development," he said.
Sofjan Wanandi stated the energy subsidy budget should be diverted to the education sector, because there are many Indonesian children who can not continue their education to a higher level.
"The budget will be very beneficial for children who want to continue their education, in order to increase their skills and improve their livelihood," he said.
Wanandi said, the budget also needs to be allocated to the health sector by building and improving community health centers (puskesmas) as well as more regional hospitals.
The removal of fuel subsidy should be implemented soon, so that the national economy could be rebounded.
"I would suggest no later than 1 April 2013, the sooner the better," he said.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
