PAM Jaya workers beat City Council employee

JAKARTA (JP): Members of city-owned water company PAM Jaya's union ran amok on Friday at the City Council building, beating a staff member from the council's public relation office.

The victim, identified as Rusmadi, was punched and kicked by protesters while taking pictures of the rally by some 100 union members.

The workers, who had gathered to repeat their demand that the water management deal between PAM Jaya and its two foreign partners, PT Thames Pam Jaya (TPJ) and PT Pam Lyonnaise Jaya (Palyja), be terminated, accused Rusmadi of working for Palyja.

Journalist Sutiyono of Pos Kota attempted to come to the aid of Rusmadi by telling the protesters that Rusmadi was a member of the press. Rusmadi, however, could not produce a press card to appease the crowd.

The workers then began to beat and kick Rusmadi, also seizing his camera and tearing the film out.

"Let's take him with us," a number of the protesters were quoted by Antara news agency as saying.

Friday's rally was led by union chairman Amir Tanjung.

"There's only one option, and that is to call off the water management agreement with TPJ and Palyja," Amir said while awaiting the arrival of council speaker Eddy Waluyo and Team 11 chairman Tarmidi Suhardjo.

Team 11 was established by the council early last month to evaluate PAM Jaya's water management deal with the two foreign partners. All 11 members of the team are city councilors.

Before Eddy and Tarmidi arrived, councilor Saud Rachman, deputy chairman of the council's Commission D, met with the protesters, telling them the council was still discussing the water management deal.

Saud's comments, however, ignited the anger of the protesting workers. A number of them began to attack the council building before spotting Rusmadi.

The union's executives met with members of Team 11 last Tuesday, again demanding the water management deal be canceled.

Later on Friday afternoon, Eddy met with the protesting workers and told them the council could not yet make a decision on the water management agreement.

"Team 11 only submitted its recommendations last Thursday and the council will hold a plenary session next Tuesday to discuss (the recommendations)," Eddy said.

Tarmidi regretted the attack by the protesters, saying that it was a kind of anarchy.

"Why don't they just be patient and wait for the final results. The council will not take sides," he said.

Another councilor, Tjuk Soedarno, who is also a member of Team 11, warned his colleagues to prepare for the worst.

"The City Council must make preparations should its decision run contradictory to the demands of the workers union," Tjuk said. (05)