Batam residents seize water truck

Batam residents seize water truck

BATAM, Riau: Dissatisfied over the two-month long shortage of
clean water supply, residents from the Tanjung Sengkuang housing
complex in Batam seized a local administration's truck carrying
4000 liters of drinking water.

Tarni, the truck driver, admitted on Monday that he was not
aware of the residents' intention and motives behind his truck's
theft, complaining: "My job is only distributing water to the
residents in several locations in the area."

Yanto, one of the Tanjung Sengkuang protesters, said that they
had faced difficulties in getting clean water from the local
administration in the last two months.

"What annoys us is that they are selling water to the 450
residents of the housing complex at an exorbitant price. They
should have known our predicament." he said.

Batam police chief Adj. Comr. Jhoni Hendra said the police
were investigating the case, saying Monday's seizure was a
criminal act.

The two-month long drought has forced the Batam government to
ration clear water supplies to local residents, officials
said.--JP