Jakarta – A group opposed to the privatization of Jakarta's piped water supply has submitted to the Central Jakarta District Court a counter-memorandum to the judicial review on the water privatization case filed by the Finance Ministry.
The Coalition of Jakarta Residents Opposed to Water Privatization (KMMSAJ) has won a Supreme Court ruling instructing the Jakarta administration to put an end to the privatization and return the authority for water treatment and distribution to city-owned water company PT PAM Jaya.
"The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the civil society. We're very disappointed that the Finance Ministry still cannot accept it," the plaintiffs' representative, Nurhidayah, said on Tuesday, as quoted by kompas.com.
Through the judicial review, the Finance Ministry attempts to challenge the Supreme Court's decision.
The coalition's counter-memorandum, meanwhile, contained 13 points aimed at strengthening the plaintiffs' stance against the ministry, Nurhidayah said, adding that it pointed out the ministry had failed to present new arguments and kept holding on to a policy that was causing state losses.
On April 10 last year, the Supreme Court granted the cessation petition of KMSSAJ and decreed that PAM Jaya's cooperation with PT Lyonnaise Jaya (Palyja) and PT Aetra Air Jakarta since 1997 was illegal, because it gave water treatment authority to private entities.
The verdict states that the privatization had not improved the water supply to residents in terms of either quality, quantity or continuity. (vla)