Vulnerable to Corruption, Investment in the Water Sector Needs to be Evaluated

Water investments need to be evaluated because they are vulnerable to corruption and marginalize local residents from policy making.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

The Deputy Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Saut Situmorang (right), along with KPK spokesperson Febri Diansyah, are preparing to give a press statement regarding the development of a corruption case involving the Drinking Water Supply System (SPAM) project at the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) at the KPK Red and White Building in Jakarta on Wednesday, September 25, 2019.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - Civil society is urging for a reassessment of the increase in investment in the water sector, both by investors and the government. This is because development in this field is not only at risk of corruption, but also sidelines local residents from the decision-making process related to it.

Investment in national water management has increased in line with a collaboration agreement between the Directorate General of Cipta Karya, the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR), and K-Water, a South Korean drinking water company.

The investment agreement worth IDR 2.4 trillion was reached during a series of events at the World Water Forum (World Water Forum) which is being held in Bali on 18–25 May 2024. According to the plan, the investment will used to fund the construction of a drinking water supply system (SPAM).

Also read: Corruption Inhibits Investment Growth

Regarding this increase in investment, Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) urges investors to re-evaluate it. This is because large investments in the irrigation sector are vulnerable to corruption.

KOMPAS/DIAN DEWI PURNAMASARI

Indonesia Corruption Watch researcher Seira Tamara (second from the left) became a speaker in a discussion with the theme "The Impacts of Presidential Election Fraud on the 2024 Regional Elections" in Jakarta on Tuesday, May 7th, 2024.

"It is important to remember, in 2018 the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) handled a bribery case for SPAM development at the PUPR Ministry involving a former member of the Supreme Audit Agency, Rizal Djalil. "Apart from Rizal, there are 8 people from the government and private sector who have also been named as suspects," said ICW researcher, Seira Tamara, in a written statement, Thursday (23/5/2024).

ICW records that during the period of 2016-2023, there were 128 corruption cases related to projects in the irrigation sector. These projects include the improvement of irrigation networks, the construction of clean water channels, and the installation of pipelines for regional drinking water companies (PDAM).

Also read: KPK Investigates Dozens of Drinking Water Supply System Projects

The methods used are varied, ranging from fictitious projects, budget misuse, to embezzlement. Of the total cases, the state's losses reached Rp 455 billion.

"Instead of demonstrating the government's success in managing the water sector, Indonesia as the host of the World Water Forum actually shows the participant countries that the management of the water sector is still burdened with corrupt practices," said Seira.

KOMPAS/KRISTI DWI UTAMI

The Corruption Eradication Commission has seized money amounting to IDR 3.36 billion, SGD 23,100, and USD 3,200 from the alleged bribery case of the Drinking Water Supply System (SPAM) project in several regions. Eight individuals have been named as suspects on Saturday (29/12/2018).

Vulnerable to corruption

Not only vulnerable to corruption, but also, large investments in the water sector have not been able to meet the needs of residents. In many areas, residents still have to buy clean water at a high price. Moreover, residents are never involved in the policymaking process related to the water sector.

For example, the People's Water Forum (PWF), which was supposed to be held in Bali last weekend in conjunction with the World Water Forum, was cancelled. The activists who initiated the forum faced threats and violence, both from the government and fellow citizens.

Also read: Intimidation Continues, Access to Water Forum Locations for the People is Blocked

As for PWF, it is a platform for civil society to criticize the World Water Forum's organization by the government, as it is deemed to be solely based on capital interests without involving citizens.

PANITIA PWF

Documentation from the Organizing Committee of the Water for the People Forum (PWF) shows that there was pressure on PWF organizers and participants.

"The repressiveness that targets civil society groups - especially environmental and water rights activists - is a tangible form of action by the government and other influential non-state actors to close the space for public participation. This can certainly have an impact on citizens' efforts to monitor government development projects that tend to be corrupt, as well as creating an atmosphere of fear," said Seira.

Kompas notes, intimidation did not only occur on May 20 2024, but also continued until Wednesday (22/5/2024). The hotel where the PWF was held was guarded by a group of people who put up barriers blocking access to the venue. A number of committee members who were already inside could not leave (Kompas, 22/5/2024).

Also read: Democracy Crisis Makes Water Crisis Worse

Earlier, the Chairperson of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), Atnike Nova Sigiro, stated that they had received complaints regarding the intimidation. Komnas HAM also received information about a request to disband the PWF event.

Repression targeting civil society groups - especially environmental activists and those fighting for the right to water - is a clear example of actions taken by the government and other non-state actors to close off public participation spaces.

KOMNAS HAM

Chairman of Komnas HAM Atnike Nova Sigiro at a media meeting in Menteng, Central Jakarta, Tuesday (7/3/2023).

To follow up on this, the National Commission on Human Rights also coordinated with Bali Regional Police and the National Police Headquarters, and sent a letter to request security guarantees for the implementation of PWF.

Also read: Bali Police Urged to Completely Investigate Intimidation Cases at the Water for the People Forum

The National Commission on Human Rights also urged the police to take legal action against the perpetrators of violence and investigate allegations of involvement of law enforcement officials in the series of events.

"The Air Forum for the People in Bali, as a civil society initiative, is a form of the right to peacefully assemble, the right to express opinions, and a form of public participation, which is recognized and protected by the constitution or international conventions," said Atnike.