Marak Case of Hard Water Spraying, Distribution Regulations Need to Be Tightened

Head of Public Relations of the Metro Jaya Police/Kombes Pol Budi Hermanto/ Photo: Ari Kurniansyah/ VOI

JAKARTA - The Metro Jaya Police have encouraged a review of the distribution of hard water following the recent spate of watering cases.

The request was made after a number of cases emerged, including those involving the Deputy Coordinator of KontraS, Andrie Yunus (27), and a man with the initials TW (54).

Head of Public Relations of the Metro Jaya Police, Kombes Pol Budi Hermanto, said this phenomenon needed to be responded to through stricter regulations. According to him, the circulation of hard water cannot be left without supervision.

"We see this phenomenon, but it must be responded to with education and regulation. We convey that there needs to be regulation regarding the distribution and circulation of this hard water," he said at the Polda Metro Jaya, Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

Budi explained that the actual rules already exist through the Regulation of the Minister of Trade. However, supervision of agents, distributors, and buyers is still considered necessary to be tightened.

He emphasized that the use of chemicals such as sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid is basically legal and has many uses, such as for educational needs in laboratories and the automotive sector.

"The use for education or technical needs is not a problem. However, when it is misused, that is what must be dealt with," he explained.

The police ensured that they would continue to investigate the case of water spraying. In addition, cross-agency coordination will also be carried out to strengthen supervision of the distribution of these chemicals.

"Later it will be seen together with related agencies such as Disperindag and other parties who have the authority to supervise chemicals," he concluded.