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Fishermen reject govt plan on fuel price hike
The Yogyakarta branch of the Indonesian Fishermenâs Association (HNSI) strongly opposed on Tuesday the government plan to raise fuel prices as of June
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he Yogyakarta branch of the Indonesian Fishermen's Association (HNSI) strongly opposed on Tuesday the government plan to raise fuel prices as of June.
Branch chairman KPH Wironegoro said a fuel price increase would severely burden the fishermen because fuel constituted the biggest portion of fishing operations, accounting for 60 to 70 percent of overall costs.
"As people's purchasing power remains low, it is impossible to raise fish prices. Moreover, proceeds from fish sales often don't cover production costs," said Wironegoro, who is the son-in-law of Yogyakarta Governor Hamengkubuwono X.
Wironegoro said the fishermen's lot had been further worsened by the fact that they were forced to buy fuel at retail prices, which had become unstable during the current uncertainty about whether the government would raise fuel prices.
He also disclosed that a lack of gas stations near the local fishing port had forced fishermen to buy fuel at the nearest gas station, which is located far from their homes. (fan)
