Well-Meaning but Ill-Conceived Intention

The government wants to cut fuel subsidies and give them directly to the poor. This is a good idea which needs careful preparation.

August 2, 2005

FIVE more months still must pass before the new year comes around, but several government officials have already been promising attractive gifts to the country's 40 million poor. Vice President Jusuf Kalla and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal Bakrie announced that the government will make significant changes to its fuel subsidies policy. The subsidies, which have long been given through fuel products such as kerosene, diesel and prem

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