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Islands in focus: Fishermen oppose plan to scrap fuel subsidy
The governmentâs plan to withdraw a fuel subsidy from fishermen next year is facing opposition from fishermen in Batam, Riau Islands, who argue that the policy would significantly increase their operational costs
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T
he government's plan to withdraw a fuel subsidy from fishermen next year is facing opposition from fishermen in Batam, Riau Islands, who argue that the policy would significantly increase their operational costs.
The government plans to revoke the fuel subsidy and allocate the money to support the 4,000-boat program for fishermen. The Batam-based fishermen, however, said the government had failed to educate the public about the plan.
Local fishing community leader Musa Muhammad told The Jakarta Post that they had learned about the planned cut, which is to occur next year, but had not officially received the information.
'We've somewhat learned about the plan. However, we'd be disappointed if it's true because our operational costs would be higher, especially in buying fuel,' he said.
According to Musa, a 30-gross-ton fishing boat with 10 crew members operating for a week costs up to Rp 21 million (about US$1,500), of which as much as Rp 17 million is used to buy fuel.
'So, if the government revokes the fuel subsidy for fishermen, imagine the burden of the high cost for fuel we have to bear. We fear that as fishermen, we would not be able to compete with foreign fishing boats, which are still likely fishing illegally in the region,' said Musa.
