Fuelling controversy

摘要

Ocer the past year energy subsidies have become a target for politicians on austerity drives. In June Indonesia increased petrol prices by 44% to cut its annual subsidy bill of $20 billion. More recently Malaysia followed suit, in the hope of filling a budget hole which had reached 4.5% of gdp. It slashed petrol subsidies, and on January 1st household energy bills went up by 15%. Countries such as Egypt and India are considering similar measures to reduce their growing budget deficits; Egypt's is now at 14% of gdp.