JAKARTA, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia is considering
to lower fuel prices following the decline of global oil prices, according to a
paper here Wednesday.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was
quoted by the Jakarta Post as saying that the government was studying the
possibility of a fuel price cut.
"We are studying intensively a plan to lower the fuel
prices. If it's considered effective, I will make the decision to lower them,"
said Susilo after meeting with Finance Minister Sri MulyaniIndrawati and Energy
and Mineral Resources Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro.
"If (oil) prices keep falling and our (subsidy)
calculation is sufficiently sound, it is my moral obligation to reduce the
burden on our people," he said.
Analysts said a cut in fuel prices would drastically
boost the popularity of the Yudhoyono administration just months ahead of the
upcoming elections, especially among middle- and lower-income voters.
Indonesia has long maintained a hefty subsidy to keep
fuel for motorists and households below international market prices.
However, Energy minister Purnomo said the government
was unlikely to lower the cost of all type of fuels, because the subsidy for
most of the fuel this year was expected to exceed the allocation, due to a spike
in global oil prices earlier this year.
Ministry figures show subsidy spending reached 13
billion U.S. dollars as of October, far higher than the initially allocated.
"I think the most feasible fuel to see a price cut
immediately is Premium gasoline," Purnomo said.