Jakarta Legislator: SPAM Regional Regulation Must Include Upper Limit on Tariffs

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Francine Widjojo, a member of Commission B of the DKI Jakarta Provincial DPRD, has reminded that the Draft Regional Regulation (Raperda) on the Organisation of the Drinking Water Supply System (SPAM) should not only be normative but must also include an upper limit on tariffs.

“Every tariff determination must be subject to public interest and not solely based on profit logic,” said Francine in Jakarta on Wednesday.

She stated that the SPAM Raperda currently under discussion must implement Presidential Regulation Number 37 of 2023 on the National Water Resources Policy and Article 3 of the DKI Jakarta Governor’s Regulation Number 48 of 2025, including access to drinking water and its piping in Jakarta as well as tariff setting.

Francine affirmed that it still adheres to the essence of the Regional Owned Enterprise (BUMD) SPAM as an extension of the state in providing water that is not profit-oriented.

Therefore, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is obliged to regulate SPAM that is affordable and just in accordance with Article 39 of Government Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia Number 122 of 2015.

Continuing her criticism of the steps towards privatisation of drinking water in Jakarta, Francine once again reminded that the management of drinking water must remain oriented towards the interests of the community, one of which is by setting an upper limit on drinking water tariffs.

“This Raperda must include the upper limit on drinking water tariffs directly stipulated in the Perda norms. This Raperda also needs to establish mechanisms for mandatory and structured public consultations every time before tariff adjustments are made,” she said.

Francine conveyed that drinking water is a basic right of the people of DKI Jakarta, so the SPAM Raperda is not limited to regulation but is also expanded as the basis for fulfilling the people’s rights.

“For low-income communities, the executive commits to prioritising drinking water services for the community,” said Pramono during the plenary session at the DKI Jakarta DPRD on Monday (13/4).

Pramono stated that the SPAM Raperda currently being discussed will side with low-income communities by ensuring affordable drinking water tariffs for them.