Candidates ignore sanitation, says NGO

JAKARTA: An NGO says all three presidential candidates have shown a lack of concern when it comes to sanitation issues.

Head of the The Drinking Water and Environmental Health Development Network (AMPL), Oswar Mungkasa, said the lack of seriousness was shown in the absence of Megawati Soekarnoputri's presidential campaign team at an open discussion held by the NGO in Jakarta on Friday.

"We invited them, but they did not show up. Frankly, I am disappointed, but I am used to it because sanitation has never been a *sexy issue' for them," Oswar said.

Oswar said he regretted the fact the other candidates' campaign teams had sent incompetent speakers to the discussion.

"You could hear it yourself during the discussion. One of them said something about maritime economics and the other talked about education and cultural development," he said.

"However, we have to respect their willingness to show up," Oswar added.

Dyan Syakhroz from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's campaign team said Yudhoyono would provide more funding for sanitation.

"Right now, there have been so many natural disasters which have forced *Yudhoyono* to focus more on those issues, rather than sanitation, issues," Dyan said.

Zarmansyaf from Jusuf Kalla's presidential campaign team said sanitation issues would be brought forward during the next presidential debate.

Economist Aviliani, a speaker at the seminar, said sanitaion was very much linked with health and welfare. If for instance, people have good sanitation and health, they can spend their money on other things such as food and education, Aviliani said.- JP