Labor President Calls For A Massive Demo Next Tuesday

The President of the Labor Party, Said Iqbal (central) during a demonstration in front of the DPR/MPR building - Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - Based on a written statement from the President of the Labor Party, Said Iqbal, the Labor Party together with the Labor Union organization will protest regarding the increase in fuel prices on Tuesday, September 6.

This demonstration will be centered in the DPR RI to ask the leadership of the DPR RI to discuss with the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Minister of Finance, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) and ministers related to economic policies.

As part of his protest against the increase in fuel, the workers provided at least three solutions to be right on target while reducing community economic contraction.

"First, regulating the use of fuel according to the year of making the car," said Labor Party President Said Iqbal quoting Antara, Sunday, September 3.

Said explained that for example, vehicles that are allowed to use subsidized fuel are private cars from 2005 to below.

According to Said, the majority of car owners from 2005 to below were middle to lower income people, while the owner of the latest car was considered capable of buying fuel.

The second solution, Said hopes that the government will transparently show fuel production costs so that people can predict an increase in fuel prices according to their income.

Furthermore, Said also hopes that the government can increase the decent wages for workers first so that the public does not object to the decision to increase fuel.

Not only that, Said also hopes that the government can prepare other alternative energy as a substitute for fuel at affordable prices.

"Preparing cheaper alternative energy, so that people have choices so that fuel prices will decrease," he said.

As is known, the government through the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Arifin Tasrif, adjusted the price of Pertalite subsidy fuel to Rp. 10,000 per liter from the previous Rp. 7,650 per liter since Saturday, September 3 at 14.30 WIB.

Minister Arifin said the government also adjusted the price of subsidized fuel for diesel from Rp5,150 rupiah per liter to Rp6,800 per liter.

Then, for non-subsidized fuel, the government adjusted the price of Pertamax from Rp. 12,500 per liter to Rp. 14,500 per liter.

"This is valid for an hour since the announcement of this price adjustment so it will take effect at 14.30 WIB," said Arifin.