JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – The Nadhlatul Ulama (NU), the largest Muslim organization in Indonesia, supports the plan of the central government to reduce fuel subsidy and divert the money to fund more productive projects and also empowerment programs for the poor, especially farmers and fishermen.
NU Chairman Said Aqil Siradj, however, warns the government regarding such a manipulation or any irregularity possibly occurring in the implementation of diversion programs related to the money collected from reducing fuel subsidy.
As reported earlier, the administration of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has revealed its plan to reduce fuel subsidy before the end of 2014.
Minister of Energy & Mineral Resources (ESDM) Sudirman Said stated that the government will divert the money collected from reducing fuel subsidy to the development of toll roads, hospitals, schools, irrigation system, and other infrastructure projects.
According to the revised 2014 State budget (APBN-P), agreed between the House of Representatives (DPR) and previous administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the fuel subsidy is set for Rp247.3 trillion. (haryantos@yosefardi.biz)