Govt, House told to unite over water bill<\/p>\n
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
A hydrology observer has suggested that the government and the
\nHouse of Representatives heed public demand for a water resource
\nlegislation that provides access to safe and affordable water,
\ninstead of bowing to pressures for privatization.<\/p>\n
Wijanto Hadipura, a hydrology and hydrologic engineering
\nlecturer at Semarang-based Soegijapranata Catholic University,
\nasked the government and the House to remain vigilant against
\nexternal pressures for reform in the country's water resource
\nmanagement.<\/p>\n
\"We are talking about people's access to water, which is
\nconsidered a basic human right. The government and the House must
\nprove that they are not dictated by certain international
\ninterests in their attempt to manage water resources,\" he said on
\nWednesday.<\/p>\n
He was referring to the World Bank, which has indicated that
\nit might not disburse the third and last tranche of the Water
\nResources Sector Adjustment Loan (Watsal), totaling US$150
\nmillion, if Indonesia failed to produce a legislation in line
\nwith a 1999 commitment on water resources policy reform.<\/p>\n
The deliberation of the draft bill is hanging in the balance,
\nmainly due to public opposition of the privatization of the water
\nsector as is stipulated in the bill, which will make water a
\ncommodity.<\/p>\n
Irrigation is another controversial issue, with the bank
\ninsisting that farmers must be empowered to manage irrigation.<\/p>\n
The office of the State Minister of National Development
\nPlanning and the Golkar faction and the United Development
\nfaction at the House shared the bank's view.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Settlement and Regional Infrastructure and the
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, on the other hand, has
\ndemanded that the government retain its authority over
\nirrigation, due to farmers' incapability.<\/p>\n
Wijanto questioned the friction within the government
\nregarding the bill.<\/p>\n
\"Why do they only think about their own interests? They do not
\ndefend public interests. Why don't they argue privatization,
\nwhich is clearly stipulated in the bill?\"<\/p>\n
The government, he conceded, would face difficulties if the
\nbank canceled its final Watsal disbursement.<\/p>\n
\"But, I believe if they can unite, we can bear the burden,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Nila Ardhianie, a member of non-governmental organization the
\nCoalition for People's Rights to Water, urged the bank and other
\ndonors to prove they did not invest for the benefit of
\nmultinational water companies.<\/p>\n
The World Bank has strongly denied allegations that it has a
\nhidden agenda to usher in foreign companies to invest in
\nIndonesia's water sector.<\/p>\n
The government signed its commitment with the World Bank on
\nWatsal in 1999, when it faced severe financial difficulties due
\nto the prolonged economic crisis.<\/p>\n
The loan scheme requires that Indonesia reform its legislation
\non water and allow the privatization of the water sector.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-house-told-to-unite-over-water-bill-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}