REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - A Filipino water services utility company, Manila Water, will manage water in Jakarta after city administration allows the company to purchase 51 percent of Suez Environment shares in PAM Lyonnase Jaya (PALYJA), water utility operator in Jakarta. Manila Water claimed the company signed Share Purchasing Agreement (SPA) with Suez Environment.

"The Jakarta government has traced the company's track record in the Phillipines and Vietnam and we found it good," Deputy Governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, or famous as Ahok, said in written statment on Thursday.

The Head of Asia Pacific Water Forum, Erna Witoelar, said the transfer of shares must be settled before discussing the old contract. Meanwhile, Executive Director of Indonesia Water Institute, Firdaus Ali, said the involvement of Manila Water should be accompanied with proper tariff adjustment.

"There should be a balance between business and public welfare. Don't let people bear the burden of all taxes," he said then added that Jakarta must look for other sources of water since until recently the capital city only depends on water supplies of Jatiluhur and Tangerang, which are unreliable.

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