"The price adjustment is unavoidable because the subsidy keeps increasing every year while it must also be given to more rightful recipients," he said at a meeting with regional government, community and religious figures as well as university rectors from across West Sumatra province here on Saturday.
He said he hoped all regional leaders would support the policy and would familiarize it among the people.
"I am convinced people in West Sumatra would not conduct rioting (in connection with the plan) and could appreciate differences," he said.
Boediono admitted that the decision-making process had been very long due to problems of determining options.
He said however that the decision could not be postponed any longer because every year the oil subsidy reached up to Rp250 trillion.
"The total is huge and so compensations had better be made for the poor so that it would meet the right target," he said.
Among the compensations for the poor include an increasing number of rice-for-the poor recipients and increasing scholarships for poor students, he said.
"The spirit is to give back the oil subsidy to the poor," he added.
The vice president hoped with the oil price adjustment and compensations for the poor the policy would meet the right targets.
reporting by ahmad wijaya
(SYS/H-YH/B/H-YH)
Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
