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