REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BOGOR – During an audience with the media persons, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) said that he was the shooting target whenever the government made unpopular decisions. “It always happens,” he said in a closing speech of Democrat Party meeting on Sunday night.     

Furthermore, SBY admitted that he also received some threats due to his policy to raise the fuel price. “Lately, some are so nice by praying and supporting me, but some others threaten my life and to oust me from office,” he added. 

He continued that no president would be happy to make such unpopular decision. “Neither Sukarno nor Suharto would love to make such decision,” he said.

Then he reminded the audience to the year 2005 when some mocked him due to his doubt in making decision to increase the fuel price. “I was not afraid nor hesitant, but I must calculate it thoroughly. If we carelessly increased the price, what would happen to the poors? Only later then, we raised the fuel price after thoroughly assessed it,” he said.      

And now, he faced the very similar situation. He explained, “If I choose to play safe and protect Democrat Party, I would not do this (raise the fuel price –Ed). But I am a leader and I must take risks to protect and save the economy and this country.” 

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