Jakarta, Jan 5 (Antara Bali) - House Speaker Marzuki Alie has expressed regret over state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina's step in increasing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) price without prior consultation with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Marzuki in a press statement on Sunday said that the increase of non-subsidized gas in 12-kg cylinders from Rp5,850 per kg to Rp9,809 per kg or from 70,200 to Rp117,708 per cylinder burdened the people.
He said that Pertamina should in advance report its plan to raise the gas price to the President who gave it the mandate and monopoly right.
"I regret very much Pertamina's decision to directly hike the price of LPG in 12-kg cylinders without reporting it to the President," Marzuki Alie remarked.
He said that Pertamina who was given the monopoly and must have the responsibility to the people, should not hike the price at will only because of the market price or the US dollar value increased now. (*/DWA)
