Fuel Price Hikes and Direct Cash Assistance Heat Up 2014 Election Race
Thursday, 22 March, 2012 | 21:59 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:Indonesia’s plans to raise fuel prices has been stalled by the direct cash assistance (BLT) program which was planned as compensation for the fuel price hikes. Democrat Party politician Achsanul Qosasi said that, primarily, the factions at the House of Representatives (DPR) have agreed to raise fuel prices.

“The fuel price hikes issue is completed. With the exception of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), which is the opposition, other parties have agreed [upon the plan]. However, the coalition parties are still divided in their opinions about the implementation of the BLT program,” Achsanul told TEMPO on Wednesday evening. “It’s all about creating an image for the public nowadays.”

Researcher Adjie al-Faraby from the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI) believes that fuel price hikes and BLT issues may heat up the race to the 2014 Presidential Elections. Political deals behind the decision will affect the vote or electability factor of political parties. “Out of all government programs, nothing provides greater impact to electability than the BLT program and changes in fuel prices,” Adjie went on.

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