Sunday 30 November 2014

TO REFRAIN FROM USING SUBSIDIZED OIL IN THE SPIRIT OF OIL FASTING



To extend subsidy was like throwing salt to sea, no matter how much salt was thrown, it would not make the sea any saltier. This was disclosed by the Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Susilo Siswoutomo in illustrating subsidy for energy.

“To refrain from using subsidized oil like fasting is the way we try to stop subsidizing Rp. 1 trillion per day. Subsidizing oil is a wasteful effort, it is completely useless.” Deputy Minister Susilo Suwitmo was quoted as saying.

Subsidy for oil was given by the Government to enlighten people’s burden in buying energy, but ironically the subsidy went off target and often abused by some people”

“In his book entitled Subsidized Oil Fasting Susilo said that the National Movement of Fasting was necessary to be exercised, for example 2 days in a week – let’s say on weekend consumers of subsidized oil fast not to buy subsidized oil. A movement as such would save Rp96 trillion in just 2 days or Rp. 8 trillion in a month or Rp. 96 trillion in a year.

The Rp. 96 trillion fund could be used for building infra structure in the regions or for building Jakarta-Surabaya double railway track which needed fund of Rp. 9.9 trillion just by “fasting” for 10 days.

Furthermore Susilo said that “fasting” would accelerate economic growth which would build national so Indonesia could keep up with the progress attained by successful countries: Brazil, Russia, India, and China combined in BRIC.

Oil “fasting” was more than just building castles in the air because it was easily understood. Susilo concluded. (SS)

Business News - October 17, 2014

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