Protests against water deal deplored

Protests against water deal deplored

JAKARTA (JP): A minister expressed concern on Friday over
endless protests by employees of city tap water company PDAM Jaya
demanding the cancellation of joint water-management deals with
two foreign companies.

State Minister of Investment/chairman of the Investment
Coordinating Board Hamzah Haz said that to cancel the agreements
between PDAM Jaya and Thames Water International of Britain in a
joint venture Thames Pam Jaya (TPJ), and Lyonnaise des Eaux of
France in a joint venture Pam Lyonnaise Jaya (Palyja), was not
easy given that they were international deals.

"Canceling the agreements will only give a bad impact to the
national economy as it will show there is no legal certainty
here," he said after witnessing the signing of a contract
agreement between TPJ and 12 members the Jakarta chapter of tap
water contractors held at Le Meridien hotel, Jakarta.

He said that foreign investment was badly needed in the
country as it had dropped sharply recently.

PDAM Jaya employees, especially those posted at Palyja and
TPJ, have staged continuous rallies since April 8 against the
joint managements.

The contract agreement signed on Friday comprises a Rp 15
billion project for the installation of 100 kilometers of new
pipes.

TPJ sales and marketing manager Nani Sariati said that the
contract was the first part of a project to be carried out in 17
packages, including installation of secondary and tertiary pipes
within TPJ's operational areas in Pulomas, Pulogadung and
Klender, all in East Jakarta. (ind)