Indonesia braced for protests as it finally raises fuel prices

A worker changes the fuel price at a PT Pertamina Gas station in Pangkal Pinang, Indonesia, on Sept 4, 2022. - Bloomberg

JAKARTA (Bloomberg): Indonesia is bracing for protests this week after the government raised fuel prices by more than 30% to curb soaring subsidies, as higher costs hit households and small businesses across the archipelago.

Tens of thousands of workers are set to demonstrate in Jakarta on Tuesday, with trade unions saying the fuel price increase will diminish purchasing power at a time when wages are stagnant and inflation is soaring.