Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has sent a letter to Jakarta's Governor Anies Baswedan about clarification regarding the privatization of drinking water in the Jakarta Province.

"We need to ask for an explanation of the drinking water governance evaluation team because the KPK is looking at a number of aspects in the management of drinking water in Jakarta and there is a risk of a cooperation agreement clause that does not favor the interests of the Jakarta Provincial Government and the community at large," KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah here Friday.

That, he said, was a concern of the KPK because in addition to its objects related to the basic needs of the wider community, there was a risk of irregularities if a number of issues discussed at the trial began at the district court to the Supreme Court.

"So, this afternoon, the Public Complaints Directorate requested an explanation from the management team to ask for an explanation of the Jakarta Provincial Government's plan regarding the expiration of the 2023 contract with Palyja (a drinking water service company) and Aetra (a drinking water management and distribution company)," said Febri.

The meeting was held on Friday afternoon at the KPK building.

Febri said that one of the concerns of the KPK was the development of the Jakarta Province's water privatization case from the district court to the Supreme Court.

"As it developed in the judicial process, there is a risk of loss related to the cooperation agreement between PAM Jaya (the provincial drinking water company), Aetra, and Palyja, which is around Rp1.2 trillion," Febri said.

Even though the Supreme Court has decided on the Judicial Review in this case, a number of substantial findings need to be kept in mind so as not to harm the interests of the Provincial Government and society at large.

The KPK expects that the ongoing process in the Provincial Government is truly carried out accountably, applies the principles of integrity, and places the interests of the community as the main measurement tool in making policy.

"This is important to minimize the risk of corruption in the future," Febri said.

Translator: Eliswan Azly
Editor: Bambang Purwanto
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