TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Effendi Simbolon, a member of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) faction at the House of Representatives, has called on other House lawmakers to exercise the inquiry right on the fuel price increase policy made by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.
Effendi made the request since he viewed that the government had violated the constitution by pegging fuel prices based on the market mechanism.
Effendi explained that the policy was against Article 28 paragraph (2) of the Law on Oil and Gas, stating that fuel prices shall be based on the mechanism of healthy business competitions.
“The [market] mechanism is against the constitution. A strategic commodity should not be based on the market [mechanism],” Effendi said at the Senayan legislative complex on Tuesday, March 31, 2015.
Effendi hoped other House members would support his endeavors, since the government had yet to explain the reason behind the fluctuating fuel prices to the House.
“I’m calling on other lawmakers [to exercise the inquiry right]. Although I’m a little pessimistic, I’m doing this for the people,” Effendi added.
Earlier on Saturday, March 28, 2015, state-owned oil and gas firm PT Pertamina increased the price for Premium gasoline from Rp6,800 to Rp7,300 per liter. The price for diesel-fuel, known as Solar, has also been increased from Rp6,400 to Rp6,900 per liter.
The fuel price hike was the second time since Jokowi was sworn-in as president in November 2014. The first one took place in November 2014, and was shortly followed by a decline in December 2014.
INDRI MAULIDAR
