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Water bill to be passed into law despite bottled-water industry concerns
The government appears determined to enact a water resources law despite industry concerns that it could be problematic for private-sector water suppliers.
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A man holds bottled water. The government is deliberating a bill that critics say threatens private-sector water suppliers. (JP/Anggara Mahendra)
The government appears determined to enact a water resources law despite objections from the private sector, which considers the bill problematic, particularly for not being supportive of business.
Speaking at a seminar on water sustainability and security, Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said the bill was essential to Indonesia’s development agenda, especially with the country being susceptible to water-related disasters and climate change.
“Today, [the House of Representatives working committee] is having a final deliberation on the water resources bill,” Basuki said on Tuesday. “We hope the bill will be passed into law tomorrow if lawmakers agree on it by this evening.”
The final deliberation is taking place despite concerns from businesses, who have said the bill blurs out the distinction between water for household use and for industrial use and who gets to manage each category.
Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) chairman Hariyadi Sukamdani cited Article 51 of the bill, which stipulates that solely state, regional or village-owned enterprises were entitled to the permit for a drinking water supply system (SPAM) for consumption purposes.
