Residents kick up big stink over public toilets

Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang

Hundreds of people living along the banks of the Cisadane river in Tangerang are refusing to use public toilets built by the Tangerang administration and the Indonesia-Netherlands Joint Committee for the Repatriation of Maluku People.

Residents of Mekarsari subdistrict in Neglasari district, Tangerang, prefer to use the heavily polluted river for their bathing and washing, including satisfying the calls of nature.

Ayi, a 40-year-old resident, told The Jakarta Post that the water in the river was cleaner than in the public toilets.

"Moreover, the water is unlimited and free-of-charge," said Ayi, who makes a living as a washerwoman.

The public toilets were officially opened in January and were supposed to be free. But after two weeks, residents found they had to pay a charge of Rp 500 (6 U.S. cents) for one bath, and Rp 200 per 20 liters of water for washing.

Taufik, another resident, said that the water could not be used to wash food or for drinking purposes.

"The toilet water is turbid and expensive. That's why I prefer to use the river water," he said.

But Rais, 65, the caretaker of the public toilets, said that many residents were reluctant to use the facility as roadworks were currently being carried out along the riverbank.

"When the work is finished, the people will certainly use the toilets," said Rais, who is paid Rp 300,000 a month for working seven-days-a-week cleaning the toilets.