PAM and PAL Merger, Ahok: Free Pipeline Installation

Jakarta Governor, Basuki `Ahok` Tjahaja Purnama, said Perusahaan Air Minum Jaya/ PAM (drinking water company) and Perusahaan Air Limbah Jaya/ PAL (wastewater company) should be merged. The merger of two Regional-Owned Enterprise companies purpose to meet water supplies in Jakarta. PAL will process wastewater of daily use and transform it into clean water. `Install the pipes first,` Ahok said in Cempaka Putih Grand Hotel on Tuesday, Oct 6.

Ahok has instructed to immediately install the pipelines. `No need to pay,` he said. Ahok requested that the companies be fair in installing the pipes so that the Jakarta residents can enjoy the service.

Ahok aims PAM Jaya and PAL Jaya to initiate their duties this year. With sufficient budget and the right technology, he is certain that clean water for consumption and daily use in Jakarta will be fulfilled within ten years.

The Jakarta administration has prepared Rp 10 trillion for the project. `I can raise it to Rp 40 trillion for the entire Jakarta,` Ahok said while laughing to PAM Jaya CEO Erlan Hidayat.

Jakarta is not supposed to lack of clean water, said Ahok. Jakarta can get water from Ciliwung River, East Flood Canal and West Flood Canal. `We also obtain it from Cisadane, Tangerang,` he said.

Ahok says the obstacle lies in human resource and that local apparatus of Jakarta are unable to work properly. ‘They cannot and do not want to formulate budget plans,’ he said. Ahok threatens to sack government employees that are unable to formulate a budget.