The Wire

If you thought the price of petrol has been bad lately spare a thought for Indonesians. Last week the President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono announced he was going to more than double petrol prices, raising them by a massive 122%. The move has been received with anger by a population unsure whether they can afford it with the Gross National Income of each person just under $1,500 per year. President Yudhoyono came to power in 2004 with over 60% of the vote on a platform of poverty allievation and a commitment to reducing corruption. But Wimar Witoelar an Indonesian political commentator and former spokesperson for past President Abdurrahman Wahid is unconvinced Yudhoyono is achieving either. Michael Atkin spoke to him earlier.