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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