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Hard times

By Nathalia Bernhard (Trans.)

From a brochure distributed by the Indonesian government after it announced a price hike that more than doubled the average price of fuel on October 1. The government had previously spent one third of the national budget on fuel subsidies and is continuing to subsidize fuel for around 15 million poor families, many of whom use kerosene for cooking. Translated from the Indonesian by Nathalia Bernhard.

PERSON A: Sir, who exactly has the right to receive fuel subsidies?

PERSON B: Those with the following characteristics of a poor household:

The area of their living quarters is less than eight square meters per person.

The floor is made of dirt, bamboo, or cheap wood.

The walls are made of bamboo or palm fronds.

They do not have a human-waste disposal system, or they share with other households.

They do not have electric lights.

They drink rainwater or water from a well.

They cook using wood, charcoal, or kerosene.

They consume meat or milk only once a week.

They purchase new clothing only once a year.

They can afford to eat only once or twice in a day.

They cannot afford medication at the local government clinic.

They do not have any savings or items that are easy to sell, such as motorcycles, gold, cattle, motorboats, or other items of value.

PERSON A: So, those who do not meet the requirements include households that do not meet the above criteria, state employees, refugees, and the homeless?

PERSON B: That’s right. Those who aren’t poor shouldn’t claim to be poor. That’s embarrassing!

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SEE ALSO: Indonesia; Poor; Subsistence economy

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