The Rise Of Gasoline Prices In Indonesia
Because of the recent steady increase of global oil prices, the Indonesian Government decided that it can no longer subsidize gasoline prices without sacrificing the nation’s spending budget. So on May 24th at exactly midnight, the price of gasoline is increased around 30% for standard leaded fuel (Premium) from Rp 4.500,- to Rp 6.000,-; and around 15% for diesel fuel (Solar) from Rp 4.350,- to Rp 5.000,-.
Just like the price increase around 3 years ago in year 2005, last night you can witness people queuing at almost all gas station in the country in order to buy fuel at its old price, until midnight that is. At some gas stations, the queue line even reached 500m long. And police are deployed at gas stations around the country to prevent criminal act.
I read at an Indonesian news website that the reaction of the people who queued up differs. Some said that the price increase is going to affect them a lot, because with the fuel price increase, the everyday commodities’ price will surely increase as well, and not to mention transportation prices everywhere.
Although I also read that some people who own expensive cars who also queued said that they accept the price increase, and surely it won’t affect people who can spend hundreds of million rupiahs for their car. I feel that these kinds of person are hypocrite. Why don’t they just let people who needs it the most to get their share of the old-priced gasoline? Haven’t they got enough money already?
Anyway, there are some rumors that they will be a big riot just like ten years ago, but thankfully it just stayed a rumor. I hope it won’t happen again, life is already quite hard as it is. But the poor people are the ones who will be affected the most. I hope things remained calm and orderly so we can focus on what matters must. I guess only time can tell.
