Fire water firm workers, says former governor

Fire water firm workers, says former governor

JAKARTA (JP): Former Jakarta governor Ali Sadikin urged
Governor Sutiyoso on Friday to fire members of the labor union of
the city-owned water management company PDAM Jaya.

Workers from the firm have since April 8 staged strikes and
rallies to protest the firm's cooperation deals with two foreign
partners.

Ali, an outspoken figure during Soeharto's authoritarian rule,
said union members had been "too arrogant" with their demands to
the two foreign partners. He argued their demands were contrary
to the 1945 Constitution.

"Indeed, the constitution states that water is under
government supervision, but what can we say if we have no
financial power (to manage it)?" said Ali, who served as Jakarta
governor from 1966 to 1977, and was linked to controversial
decisions such as the authorization of gambling.

He said essential sectors, such as electricity and other
natural resources, were also managed by the government under
cooperation with foreign companies.

"If I were still city governor, I wouldn't hesitate to fire
those who join the protests, as they no longer put public
interest as their first priority."

He said he strongly supported Sutiyoso's decision to fire PDAM
Jaya president Rama Boedi and maintain cooperation with the
firm's two foreign partners.

According to Ali, the cooperation agreements with British
joint-venture company PT Thames Pam Jaya (TPJ) and French joint-
venture company PT Pam Lyonnaise Jaya (Palyja) were crucial for
the country.

"Neither the city administration nor the central government
have adequate (financial) power to fulfill the city's needs for
tap water."

The decision to fire Rama was the "correct step", Ali said.

Sutiyoso sacked Rama on Thursday for incompetency in handling
the protesting workers. PDAM Jaya's chairmanship has been
entrusted to a caretaker team led by Ongky Sukasah, an assistant
to the city secretary for development affairs.

Union members are protesting a salary disparity between those
assigned to PDAM Jaya headquarters and those at TPJ and Palyja.

Public service has been neglected during the strike and the
protesting workers have urged city residents not to pay water
charges.

The protest is believed to have been sparked after Rama raised
the wages and allowances of 200 PDAM Jaya employees at their
headquarters to 45 percent, while the other 2,800 employees
posted at TPJ and Palyja were only granted a 20.5 percent
increase.

Protesters subsequently changed their demands for a similar
pay hike, insisting the firm cancel the cooperation deal with the
two partners. They say the agreement is illegal as it breaches
the 1945 Constitution.

On Friday, Rama said he had never supported or financed any of
the protests.

"It's totally ridiculous! The city administration has no
proof. The foreign partners are an essential factor for water
distribution in the capital," Rama told The Jakarta Post.

"What would I gain from doing such a thing? PDAM Jaya itself
would be at a loss if we lost those foreign partners."

He said he would remain loyal to Governor Sutiyoso despite his
dismissal from the company.

"Whatever Pak Sutiyoso decides, I will not fight it. I respect
him."

At City Hall on Friday, Governor Sutiyoso announced that the
decision regarding Rama's dismissal was based on findings of the
city inspectorate office. The office said Rama was behind the
rallies.

"I have given him the opportunity to defend himself but we
will stick to our decision," Sutiyoso said.

He said that pending the results of a final investigation,
Rama could lose his civil servant status.

The governor acknowledged that his dismissal of Rama could
lead to new problems for his administration, as workers at the
company might protest the decision.

Union spokesman Josie Indrawan said on Friday that a protest
letter, signed by all 2,800 PDAM Jaya employees, would be sent to
Sutiyoso in the next few days,

"It's very unwise for Sutiyoso not to cancel the agreement
between PDAM Jaya and its foreign partners," Josie said.

Palyja and TPJ said in a joint statement on Friday they were
ready to cooperate with the newly appointed management of PDAM
Jaya. (ind/ylt)