House to endorse water bill in April

House to endorse water bill in April

JAKARTA: The government and House of Representative have
agreed in principle to endorse a bill on water resources by April
2003. The bill is meant to ensure the availability of clean water
for all citizens.

The bill, which the House began deliberating last month,
stipulates the basic right of all people to have access to clean
water and obliges the government to protect its water resources.

"With the law the government will be able to put in place a
comprehensive water resource conservation plan for the betterment
of the people's welfare," Minister of Resettlement and Regional
Infrastructure Soenarno said over the weekend.

Legislator Sumaryoto predicted the deliberation of the bill
would proceed without a hitch because there were no conflicting
political interests between the parties in the House over the
issue. --Antara.