More NGOs demand review of water law

Source: The Jakarta Post 2/7/2004

JAKARTA: Representatives of several non-governmental organizations launched on Thursday a challenge against the constitutionality of the new water resources bill in the Constitutional Court against the controversial water law, saying it was against the Constitution.

Johnson Panjaitan, a lawyer representing the NGOs, told reporters that the challenge to the bill was essential as the public was excluded from the drafting process and its contents were repugnant to the Constitution. Other NGOs had challenged the law last month for the same reasons. Critics have said the law failed to guarantee access for the common people to safe and affordable water.