JAKARTA, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia is intensifying measures to curb fuel consumption as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to drive global oil prices to high levels, the country's finance minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said here Tuesday.
Purbaya told reporters that the government is exploring a transition from fossil fuels to electricity to reduce dependence on imports and leverage the country's domestic electricity surplus.
The minister said in early May that Indonesia will roll out electric vehicle incentives starting this June, as part of broader efforts to curb fuel consumption.
On currency stability, Purbaya said Bank Indonesia has sufficient authority and tools to maintain the Indonesian rupiah amid rising global uncertainty and high oil prices.
The Indonesian rupiah plummeted to a historic low of 17,500 against the U.S. dollar on Tuesday, marking its weakest level on record. ■
