X-URL: http://www.thejakartapost.com:8890/iscp_render?menu_name=hitlist_details&id=2572909
City set for violent protests over fuel hike
City News - September 29, 2000
JAKARTA (JP): City authorities say they are fully prepared for violent
protests, strikes and shortages when fuel prices are raised on Sunday.
The authorities said on Thursday 200 buses were on standby should bus
drivers in the capital go on strike to protest the 12 percent fuel
price hike.
The police will deploy thousands of personnel to assure the smooth
distribution of gas, kerosene, and basic goods. Officers will guard
gas stations, markets, business centers and offices.
City Hall hosted a meeting attended by representatives from the
Jakarta administration, police, military, market operator PD Pasar
Jaya and Land Transportation Control Agency (DLLAJ).
Mostly middle-ranking representatives were present, unusually for an
important meeting.
The city administration, for instance, was represented by city
secretary Fauzi Bowo, while the Jakarta Police by operation control
command deputy chief Supt. Yuwanto.
"In today's meeting, we checked each institution's final preparations
ahead of the Oct. 1 fuel hike. We all know that fuel hikes are a
sensitive issue that can lead to social unrest," Fauzi said.
Fauzi said the 200 extra buses would be borrowed from several private
bus companies, such as Mayasari, Damri and Steady Safe, in
anticipation of possible strikes by workers with the city-owned bus
company, PPD.
"We have heard about the strike plan and even though we are not sure
about it, we choose to be prepared," he said.
Supt. Yuwanto said that his boss, Jakarta Police chief Gen. Nurfaizi,
had ordered all police chiefs in the capital to enhance security in
their areas and work together with security guards at business centers
to anticipate unrest.
"Gen. Nurfaizi ordered us on Monday to keep an eye out for groups that
could use the moment to create instability in the capital," Yuwanto
said.
The police, however, are unable to identify the groups, he added.
Increasing fuel prices is a tough political decision for the
government as in the past it has often led to protests and unrest. The
last time the government increased fuel prices was in May 1998.
Protests and bloody riots in Jakarta followed, contributing to the
downfall of then president Soeharto two weeks later.
Under the plan, the price of premium gasoline will increase to Rp
1,150 from Rp 1,000 per liter, automotive diesel oil to Rp 600 from Rp
550, kerosene to Rp 350 from Rp 280, and bunker oil to Rp 400 from Rp
350.
Deputy governor of administrative affairs Abdul Kahfi said on
Wednesday that the capital would be hit by strikes and protests ahead
of the hike.
The strikes, he said, may well take place at bus terminals, while
protesters could flock to the State Palace, the House of
Representatives building and City Hall.
Last week, state-owned oil company Pertamina promised that Jakarta
would experience no difficulties, such as panic buying, ahead of the
rises, saying the firm had beefed up its gasoline stocks.
"For Jakarta, we have prepared a total of 7,600 kiloliters of
gasoline," Pertamina spokesman Ramli Djaffar said, adding the amount
included premium, diesel oil, kerosene and bunker fuel.
The company, he said, was prepared for dropping fuel directly to areas
reporting shortages but asked local government to watch the
distribution.
Officer Yuwanto said: "To secure the distribution of gas and essential
goods, Jakarta Police will conduct a joint operation with neighboring
West Java and East Java Police to secure the northern coastal area of
Java to ensure smooth distribution."
PD Pasar Jaya head Syahrir Tanjung said the public had no reason to
worry about the supply of basic needs and staple foodstuffs as there
were adequate stocks so far.
"The public have nothing to worry about because we have enough stocks
and so far the prices of basic goods are still stable," Syahrir said.
Media reports have said the price of several items, such as noodles,
eggs, and milk formula has started to increase over the past few days.
People have also reported that goods have started disappearing from
the markets.
"Some distributors began hoarding items, waiting for new prices in
line with the fuel hike," said a shop manager. (dja/bsr)
*****************
Check out the now active INDONESIA-DOCS and INDONESIA-POLICY lists
available from Indonesia Publications' homepage: http://www.indopubs.com
*****************