LEGISLATOR SLAMS PERTAMINA FOR RAISING LPG PRICE

Jakarta, July 4 (ANTARA) - Aria Bima of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI) has expressed disappointment about state oil company Pertamina which, he said, was insensitive to the people's economic burden and tending to make careless decisions.

"Imagine, it was only last month that the government increased the oil prices putting a heavy burden on the people, and now Pertamina had raised the price of 12-kg LPG starting July 1," he said in on e-mail to ANTARA on Thursday.

He emphasized that Pertamina should consider the people's weakening purchasing power following the 28.7 percent increase in the fuel prices recently.

Pertamina as a state company should not only think of making profit, he said.

"In this context, Pertamina should have postponed the LPG price hike, and wait for the recovery of the people's purchasing power," he said.

Aria Bima said the House of Representatives (DPR) would continue to closely monitor Pertamina's policies and question the government about the LPG price increase.