Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Tuesday that the government's oil subsidy will possibly jump to over 140 trillion rupiah (about 14.3 billion US dollar) this year.

The president made the statement during his speech in front of parliament ahead of the Independence Day on Aug. 17.

He said that the government budget continues to experience heavy pressure as the burden of the domestic fuel subsidy rises in line with high international crude oil price.

"Should the world oil price remain high as it is today, the fuel subsidy for 2005 is estimated to reach more than 140 trillion rupiah," much higher than the current budgeted figure of 76.5 trillion rupiah (7.8 billion US dollars), he said.

Source: Xinhua