Sutiyoso won't delay water rate hike

JAKARTA: Governor Sutiyoso has refused to delay the water tariff hike, saying that it would only burden future city residents.

"The increase could be much higher in the next six months should we continue to delay the hike," he told reporters after a hearing with the City Council on Wednesday.

He argued that the hike was inevitable as the administration had to repay an outstanding debt of Rp 938 billion (US$102 million) to its foreign partners, Thames PAM Jaya and PAM Lyonaisse Jaya.

A councillor of the Prosperous Justice Party faction, Mukhayar, urged the administration to consult the City Council prior to the hike. --JP.