Indonesia raises fuel prices by over 30%

 

The Indonesian government has raised fuel prices by over 30% 

The Indonesian government has increased subsidised fuel prices by over 30% in an attempt to save the economy more than $8bn (£5bn) in 2015.

Prices were raised by 2,000 rupiah ($0.16; £0.10) per litre, with gasoline now costing 8,500 rupiah and diesel 7,500 rupiah.
Fuel prices in Indonesia are among the cheapest in the world.
The unpopular move sparked small protests and long queues at petrol stations in the capital, Jakarta.
Previous price increases have sparked violent protests and reports said young people had clashed with police at a demonstration hotspot before the announcement on Monday.
New President Joko Widodo, who took office last month, said the increase would bolster government finances and help with the nation's trade imbalance.
"The country has needed a budget for infrastructure, healthcare and education but instead spent it on subsidising fuel," he told reporters on Monday.
Indonesia's $23bn fuel subsidy bill is the main reason behind its budget deficit. It is also behind the nation's trade imbalance as Indonesia imports much of its fuel.
The economy also grew at the slowest pace in five years in the third quarter at 5.01%, compared to a year ago.
Taming inflation The rise in fuel prices could push up inflation to 7.3% this year and the impact would last until next year February, the government said.
Inflation jumped to nearly 10% in mid 2013, after fuel prices were increased.
Consumer prices rose to 4.8% in October from a year earlier.
The country's central bank, Bank Indonesia, may need to increase interest rates this month to cope with the rising inflation, according to economists.
Bank Indonesia has not changed the benchmark rate since November of last year.