President Jokowi Agrees to Issue Presidential Instruction on Drinking Water Supply

Head of the Bappenas Suharso Monoarfa delivers press statement after attending a limited meeting on Drinking Water Supply System (SPAM), in Jakarta, Monday (10/23). (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Dandy)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Monday (10/23) has agreed to issue a Presidential Instruction (Inpres) on drinking water supply system (SPAM) during a limited cabinet meeting held at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.

Minister of National Development Planning (PPN)/Head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Suharso Monoarfa said that during the meeting, he and Minister of Public Works and Public Housing proposed the issuance of a Presidential Instruction (Inpres) on drinking water supply.

“The President has approved the proposal to issue an instruction on drinking water supply,” Suharso said in his statement after joining the meeting.

Suharso went on to say that in the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) for 2019-2024, the Government has set a target to install drinking water connection units to 10 million houses. However, as of 2023, the realization has only reached 3.8 million houses.

“We aim to focus on narrowing the gap of 6.2 million units next year without having to build raw water supply [system], as we already have the water resource,” he added.

For the record, Suharso said that Indonesia currently still has an idle capacity of around 38 thousand liters for water supply that can be distributed to more than 3 million houses throughout Indonesia.

Furthermore, he said that President Jokowi has instructed related institutions to prioritize the provision of drinking water to housings situated in areas with high stunting rates. (FID/UN) (AP/RAS/MMB)