Company postpones water rate hike

Company postpones water rate hike

TANGERANG: The Tangerang regency tap water company PDAM Tirta
Kerta Raharja has decided to postpone a water rate hike until
2005 when the company will be able to provide better services and
cleaner water, spokesman Anda Suhanda said on Friday.

The company increased its water prices by 300 percent
in January and planned to increase the price again in August.

After the increase at least 2,000 of the company's 110,000
customers changed to Tangerang municipal tap water company PDAM
Tirta Dharma.

However, former customers expressed doubt about the company's
commitment to improve service. "It's a trick to get the people
back, the price will be increased anyway," Lilie Weh of Bugel Mas
Indah housing complex said.

Muslih Amin, coordinator of Regional Information Study Center
(Pattiro), said the postponement was only a temporary answer to
the strong protests. -- JP