TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A protest conducted by 25 Student Executive Body (BEM) from various campuses on Thursday, January 13, 2017, demands three things. The first is to revoke Government Regulation No.160/2016 on the tariff increase for vehicle registration’s (STNK & BPKB) non-tax state income (PNBP).

The second is to refuse the electricity tariff increase for the 900 VA consumers, and the third demand is to return the fuel price determination mechanism back to the government, as well as to guarantee the supply of subsidized fuel at every gas station.

According to public policy expert, Agus Pambagio, the protest that was staged by BEM did not actually cover the current public substantial matters. “[It] doesn’t make sense,” he said.

Agus explained that the basic electricity tariff (TDL) has not been increased but the subsidy for the 900 VA electricity consumers was repealed. That group of consumers cannot be considered as a low economy class segment, unlike the 450 VA electricity consumers that are currently subsidized.

In relation to the increased price for Pertamax and Pertalite fuel, he said, “There is no change for subsidized fuel, right? The law only regulates the subsidy for premium, solar (diesel), and kerosene. The non-subsidized fuels have been fluctuating according to the market since SBY’s presidency. There is no increase, it’s only because crude [oil] prices is on the rise,” he said.

On the PNBP for STNK and BPKB administration, Agus said “STNK and SIM (driver’s license) has risen, but it’s now online based. Compare it to when it wasn’t, how much did you spend to just pay for the calo service?"

“The BEM’s demands yesterday, in my opinion, were intellectually lacking,” Agus concluded.

S. DIAN ANDRYANTO