Political parties at the House of Representatives united Monday in opposition to the government's plan to raise fuel prices, leaving the Golkar Party facing a dilemma.

"We are in a dilemma because Golkar's chairman, Pak Jusuf Kalla, is the Vice President and the government's policymaker, while Golkar's deputy chairman, Pak Agung Laksono, is the House Speaker, who represents the public's interest and must maintain the party's image in the legislative body," said Golkar lawmaker Yuddy Chrisnandi, after attending the House plenary session to open its sitting period here on Monday.

Golkar, which dominates the House with 129 of 550 seats, was not able to demonstrate a firm stance during the plenary session. As other parties embarked on a flurry of activity in opposition to the government's unpopular plan to raise fuel prices, Golkar legislators were at a loss as to what they should do.

"As lawmakers, we would be heartless if we let the government raise fuel prices. We are the public's representatives after all, so we have to defend their interests," said Yuddy, adding that this was not an official Golkar faction statement, but his personal stance.

Earlier, Kalla had said the government's plan to raise fuel prices was based on a revision of the state budget that had been approved by the House.

"So we no longer need the House's approval for increasing the fuel prices," Kalla said as quoted by Antara.

After the plenary session, Yuddy said the Golkar faction had yet to discuss its official response to the fuel price issue, but he believed all Golkar lawmakers wanted to reject the plan.

The parties most vocally opposing the plan were the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), National Awakening Party (PKB), National Mandate Party (PAN), Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and Prosperous Peace Party (PDS).

Dradjad Wibowo of PAN reminded President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono that he needed to keep his promise not to raise fuel prices.

"If a national leader cannot keep his promises, public trust in democracy will be destroyed. The public will become more apathetic toward political parties, including legislative candidates," he said.

Dradjad emphasized that the government had other options to secure the state budget without increasing fuel prices. He cited the idea of rescheduling foreign debt payments, and pointed out that the government could do more to boost state revenue from taxes and customs.

Of the lawmakers discussing the planned fuel price increases, only Syarief Hasan, head of Yudhoyono's Democratic Party faction, backed the government's plan. He said although raising fuel prices was an unpopular policy, the government had no choice to prevent a budget deficit.

"We are ready to support the government's unpopular policy, because this is for the future of our nation," he said. (alf)

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