Experts Urge Governance Overhaul at Perumda Tirta Bhagasisi Amid Service Quality Concerns

The quality of clean water services and operational efficiency at the Regional Public Company (Perumda) Tirta Bhagasasi in Bekasi Regency, West Java, have come under public scrutiny. Challenges in water distribution and an analysis of the company’s financial dynamics have prompted calls for the municipally owned enterprise to conduct a thorough evaluation and governance overhaul. In recent weeks, user complaints have surfaced on social media regarding clean water distribution that frequently stops and flows in a murky condition. Although the dry season affects raw water supply, the public believes the service problems are not solely due to weather factors but are also related to management, distribution, and network maintenance systems. An analysis of the company’s financial condition shows a trend requiring serious attention. Asset growth that has not been matched by profit growth indicates that the optimisation of company assets still faces challenges. Conversely, a gradual increase in debt burden accompanied by a profit decline of more than 96% over the last four years indicates high pressure on cash flow and the need for sustainable operational efficiency. Ramdhan Ghozali, a researcher at the Independent Human Institute (IHI), assessed that the high level of water loss, or Non-Revenue Water (NRW), which has reached more than 50%, is one of the main causes of the company’s deteriorating condition. He identified three main factors causing the high water loss: a Minimum Off Take clause in the Cooperation Agreement for bulk water supply, the practice of illegal direct connections involving many Perumda employees and officials, and slow handling of distribution network leak repairs. ‘This crisis is triggered by a lack of commitment from Perumda’s elite officials, poor employee work ethic, weak internal and external supervisory functions, and conflicts of interest due to directors holding concurrent positions as KONI chairmen,’ Ramdhan stated. Additionally, the separation of regional assets to Bekasi City has eroded the company’s revenue base. This is exacerbated by allegations of collective corruption, ranging from illegal connections, the existence of fictitious employees and accounts, to bribery practices for project advances. He added that the condition of Perumda Tirta Bhagasasi has reached a very serious stage, requiring comprehensive handling rather than just temporary policy changes. ‘The KPM must act quickly like a professional specialist doctor in diagnosing the real disease, then concoct the right prescription for the recovery of Perumda Tirta Bhagasasi, which is now akin to suffering a severe stroke. As a patient, Perumda Tirta Bhagasasi must also be completely open, honestly acknowledging all complaints, weaknesses, and problems being faced or potentially faced; remember, a fish rots from the head down,’ Ramdhan explained. He assessed that without corrective steps addressing the root of the problem, from governance and supervision to service improvement and water leakage control, the financial condition and service quality of Perumda Tirta Bhagasasi are feared to continue declining, directly impacting public service and company profits. This comes after three former Perumda Tirta Bhagasasi officials were recently named suspects by the Bekasi District Prosecutor’s Office over fictitious accounts and marked-up new customer connections, causing state losses of up to IDR 4.5 billion during the 2024-2025 period. ‘The results of the Institute’s research have been submitted to the Acting Regent of Bekasi as KPM, and we plan to forward them to other Forkopimda members and Commission I of the Bekasi Regency DPRD for appropriate follow-up,’ he said.