YLKI protests water rate hike

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Consumers' Foundation (YLKI) called on Jakarta people to unite in opposing the up to 40 percent hike in tap water tariffs, saying that it was against the public interest.

Speaking to journalists after meeting Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Friday, YLKI chairperson Indah Suksmaningsih said the new rates were illegal because they covered the period before the city bylaw endorsing the increase had been issued, which is a breach of legal principles.

"Consumers would have to pay the new fees without prior notice, which is incorrect," she said as quoted by Antara.

Indah was accompanying State Minister of Environment Sonny Keraf, who reported on preparations for the children's conference on the environment to the Vice President.

She said further that tap water companies had to improve the quality and sufficiency of tap water.

"Many consumers living near a water purification site enjoy the best quality water but those living far away have to consume lower quality water. That's why the rates should be determined according to the quality of the water," she said.(dja)