Activists criticize government over water<\/p>\n
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Observers criticized over the weekend the water resources bill,
\nwhich calls for the privatization of the water sector to some
\nextent, saying that the decision would threaten the public's
\nright to clean, affordable water.<\/p>\n
\"Water is a social commodity, it's not a mere economic
\ncommodity and it is a public right,\" Budi S. Wignyosukarto, who
\nheads Gadjah Mada University's Institute for Community Service,
\navowed.<\/p>\n
Both the government and the House of Representatives (DPR)
\nmust guarantee the people's rights by accommodating their
\ninterests in the bill instead of paving the way for the
\ncommercialization of water, he said.<\/p>\n
\"Once the government and the House approve water
\ncommercialization, some of the country's citizens will have
\ndifficulties accessing clean and affordable water in the future,\"
\nBudi claimed.<\/p>\n
The government, which proposed the bill, has been criticized
\nfor neglecting to understand the social value of water as it
\nappears to be solely focusing on the economic value of water.<\/p>\n
\"With such an approach, more Indonesians, particularly farmers
\nand those from low-income brackets, will have trouble getting
\nsafe water,\" Budi remarked.<\/p>\n
Nila Ardhianie from the People's Coalition for Water Rights,
\nconcurred, saying the government must consider water as a human
\nright as sought by the United Nations this year.<\/p>\n
\"It means the government must give the same treatment for
\naccess to water for all citizens,\" said Nila, asserting that the
\ncurrent bill favors the private sector rather than common people.<\/p>\n
Budi suggested the government impose a tax on water for all
\ncitizens instead of issuing permits for water use, with different
\npermits for daily use and permits for commercial use.<\/p>\n
The first permit could be given to households and farmers
\nwhose farmland is irrigated by existing reservoirs. The second
\nwould be for private companies that utilize water for commercial
\nuse. The fee for the second permit would be more expensive than
\nthat of the first.<\/p>\n
Such a stipulation, Budi feared, would possibly harm common
\npeople as the authorities would favor the interests of private
\ncompanies.<\/p>\n
\"It would be fair if the government imposed a tax on water.
\nThe tax rate for households must be lower than that for
\ncommercial use as the latter consumes water to gain profit while
\nthe first is merely for consumption,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Minister of Resettlement and Regional Infrastructure Soenarno
\nsaid that his office considered water an economic commodity due
\nto its scarcity.<\/p>\n
He argued that the rates for consumers was not for the water
\nbut for the facilities and investment to turn fresh water into
\ndrinking water.<\/p>\n
Soenarno had also confirmed that during the draft process of
\nthe bill the government had \"indirectly involved the WATSAL
\n(Water Resources Sector Adjustment Loan) scheme\".<\/p>\n
According to the World Bank-sponsored WATSAL document,
\nIndonesia will get a US$300 million loan if the government
\ncompletes its water reform initiative, which includes the
\nenforcement of a water resource law that allows the privatization
\nof the water sector.<\/p>\n
Several non-governmental organizations allege that certain
\ninternational private water utility companies use the World Bank
\nand other international financial institutions as their vehicle
\nto lobby for legislation and trade laws to force countries to
\nprivatize their water and set the agenda for debate on solutions
\nto the world's increasing water scarcity.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/activists-criticize-government-over-water-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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