Puan Reminds The Government To Overcome Drought Issues: Clean Water Is People's Rights

Photo by mrjn Photography on Unsplash

JAKARTA - Puan Maharani encourages the Government to address the issue of clean water for the people, especially during the dry season. The chairman of the DPR RI emphasized that the need for clean water is a community right that must be met by the state.

"The constitution has emphasized the importance of community welfare, including equal access to clean water as a basic need that is vital for the lives of every citizen," said Puan, Monday, June 12.

As is known, Article 33 paragraph (3) of the 1945 Constitution states that the earth, water, and natural wealth contained therein are controlled by the state and used for the greatest prosperity of the people. Puan said this provision emphasized the state's obligation to ensure the fair and equitable use of water resources for the benefit of all Indonesian people.

"The state has an obligation to take concrete and sustainable steps to ensure that clean water is available, affordable, and quality for all Indonesian people, without exception," said the first woman to serve as Chair of the DPR RI.

Puan also highlighted the condition of around 6,000 residents in Purwakarta Regency who have experienced difficulty with clean water for almost the past month. Especially now that some parts of the western part of Java is entering the dry season which has an impact on drought issues.

The problem of clean water difficulties in Purwakarta was caused by a pipe leak belonging to the Gapura Drinking Water Company (PDAM) Tirta Rahayu Purwakarta. Even because it has not provided clean water for a month, residents have dredged up the Regional Owned Enterprise (BUMD).

"It's been a month since residents in Purwakarta have been queuing for clean water. The government must immediately step in to solve the problem. This is an emergency problem! Because clean water is the main need of the community on a daily basis," he stressed.

Currently, residents are given a temporary solution by sending trucks containing clean water to be distributed during the process of repairing clean waterways in Purwakarta. However, this solution is considered ineffective because it makes it difficult for residents because they have to queue for clean water every morning while they also have to work, cook, go to school, and other important activities.

"Residents need a clean water solution immediately. Keep in mind, clean water is a crucial need. And the solution to the problem should not burden the community even more," said Puan.

Puan also assessed that the Government still has a lot of homework to solve the problems faced by the people in the regions. He said hard work must continue to be encouraged so that progress can be felt significantly by the people until finally the problem is resolved.

"The DPR understands that the government of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) for 2 periods has made many improvements to infrastructure throughout the country. However, we must realize that there is still a lot of homework that the state has to do to ensure that development is carried out evenly to remote areas," said Puan.

"And we in the DPR are ready to provide support for improving development for the welfare of the people according to our duties and authorities," he continued.

On the other hand, Puan again highlighted the contamination of rivers in the capital city so that they could not become a source of clean water needs for the community.

"Adequate availability of clean water is the key to achieving sustainable development and improving quality of life," said Puan.

Fulfillment of clean water needs for the community is also a mandate from Law Number 7 of 2004 concerning Water Resources, which regulates the management and utilization of water resources with the principles of justice, sustainability, and sustainability.

"The state must also ensure the provision of adequate water infrastructure, including the development of a water supply system, maintenance of facilities, and waste management, to ensure extensive access to clean water for all residents," explained Puan.

Puan also mentioned the latest study data from UNICEF which stated that nearly 70 percent of the 20,000 household drinking water sources tested in Indonesia were polluted by waste. This also causes the spread of diarrhea which is the main cause of child mortality.

"The community must be empowered to participate in planning, implementation, and monitoring of clean water policies, so that their interests are well represented," he concluded.