NGOs oppose water rate hike

NGOs oppose water rate hike

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI), the
Jakarta Water Consumers Community (Komparta) and the Indonesian
Water Contractors Association (Akaindo) oppose the plan to
gradually increase water rates every six months.

"City-run tap water operator PD PAM Jaya is trying to assure
the public that the existing problems in the company are because
of the low water rates and consumers reluctance to pay their
water bills," YLKI chairwoman Indah Suksmaningsih told a press
conference on Friday.

She criticized the city administration for ignoring the
public's objection to the plan.

"PDAM only considers the city revenue, instead of public
interests," she added.

The plan was approved by the Jakarta City Council on July 23
and implemented by the Ministry of Settlement and Regional
Infrastructure on Aug. 4. -- JP