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