TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) politician Effendi Simbolon opposes the government's plan to raise subsidized fuel prices, saying fuel subsidies are the wheels driving the economic growth.

According to Effendi, it is unfair for the government to raise fuel prices since the public should not have to bear the burden of oil price fluctuations. "I never heard President Joko Widodo saying he will leave commodity prices like fuel and gas to market mechanism," he said.

"Fuel subsidy is an investment that the people can enjoy," he said in Senayan pn Thursday.

Effendi suggested Jokowi to improve oil and gas trade management in a bid to seek oil independence. "The president has yet to expose his oil and gas management strategy, yet he immediately decides to increase fuel prices," he lamented.

Adian Napitupulu, House of Representatives (DPR) member from PDIP, also disagrees with the fuel hike agenda. He has not said much about his stance on the issue, although he once took to Twitter to voice his objection about the plan to remove fuel subsidy.

"As long as the party has not made a stance, different opinion between president and the party is legit," he said.

The former activist takes no heed on his party's support over Jokowi's fuel hike plan. "As long as the party has not taken a stance, a difference of opinion between the president and the fractions is legitimate," he said.

RAYMUNDUS RIKANG