House Commission IX: Clean Water Crisis Must Be Addressed Before It Triggers Health Issues

A member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) has stated that the clean water crisis affecting communities due to the prolonged dry season must be addressed immediately to prevent health issues and further burdens on families. Putih Sari, Deputy Chair of Commission IX, said that clean water is a fundamental need that directly determines public health and quality of life. “Lack of access to adequate water can increase the risk of various diseases, especially for children, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups,” she said. In response to the emergency, Sari distributed clean water aid to communities in several areas of Bekasi Regency, West Java, struggling to obtain water. At least three water tankers were deployed to the sub-districts of Cibarusah, Serang Baru, and Bojongmangu. She noted that residents reported their local water sources had diminished and were no longer sufficient to meet daily needs. The distribution of water via tankers is intended to help reduce the costs and physical effort residents expend fetching water from distant locations. Beyond the immediate aid, Sari urged all parties to increase attention to drought-prone areas. She pushed for the mapping of vulnerable regions and the provision of more sustainable clean water infrastructure to ensure communities do not face similar hardships in future dry seasons. “The most important thing is that this aid can be utilised as best as possible to meet the community’s needs. We will continue to strive to be present and assist those in need,” she said.