SMS: Gasoline price

Wed, 02/20/2008 1:18 PM | Reader's Forum

It would be better to simply raise gasoline prices rather than rationing subsidized gasoline sales with a smart card. Many loudly profess their disfavor for this idea. Thank you for speaking up for the silent majority who abhor the absurd idea on smart card.
NONO SARWONO
Jakarta

The idea of smart cards is very complicated and also costly. Does the government guarantee a trouble-free computerized system? We can imagine if the server is down, the queuing of cars at gas station will be very long. I propose a simple idea, each vehicle gets 45 vouchers, say for three months. Each voucher is valid for the purchase of 10 liters of subsidized fuel. Every time they purchase fuel, they have to give the voucher to pump station employee. Without giving the voucher, no one is eligible to buy subsidized fuel. In this case government will only have to make sure that no fake vouchers are accepted.
SULHAN ASKANDAR
Jakarta

The so-called smart card will just increase corruption. If it is meant just for cars, motorcycle owners will fill up all day & then sell the fuel to car owners.
PHILIP
Denpasar, Bali

Raise the gasoline price and progressively erase subsidies. However, simultaneously increase alternative fuel stations for bio-fuel. Which is good to reduce gas emissions.
JIMMY
Jakarta

Why so complicated? Below 1,500 cc private cars should remain subsidized, while cars of 1,500 cc and above should pay higher gasoline prices.
S. PRADEEP
Jakarta

You don't have to be a PhD holder to understand the equation: Raising the gas prices = inciting social problems, causing unemployment, inflation = a suicidal policy.
ADRIANUS MARULITUA
Sleman, Yogyakarta

Our government should consider the new technology and infrastructure required for the smart card system. It needs huge money.
H. DODIK SETIAWAN
Yogyakarta

Smart cards are not a smart solution. Increase the people's buying power only increase the fuel price.
JAHJA
Jakarta

Smart cards may be too "smart" for Indonesia at the moment. What's stopping consumers filling up to the limit at one gas station and moving to another for a refill. A smart card system has to be online throughout Java and Bali (plus soon throughout Indonesia). Do we have the right infrastructure? Maybe with the wide coverage of GSM network, but is it worth the investment compared to just raising the fuel price? Fuel prices will be increased eventually and it is due only to the upcoming (general) elections we now see this approach. A more simpler way is identifying luxury vehicles and applying the higher (fuel) price. If one can afford to buy a luxury vehicle and pay the taxes, then a non-subsidized fuel price should not be a problem.
HENDRIK
Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara

The rationing of gasoline will hardly satisfy the customers. It's only in a different (mostly disguised) form. The poor fall victim again. It's called "insult added to injury".
HO TJAU HUA
Jakarta

The heaps of money the state loses by subsidizing fuel could be used for education, medical care and many others. The longer you wait to operate, the deeper you'll have to cut.
DIRK
Sint Niklaas, Belgium

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