Doubling National Access to Clean Water, The Vice President Supports the Role of SOE in IWF

Jakarta, wapresri.go.id – As stated in the 2020-2024 RPJMN, the government targets 100% of households to have access to safe drinking water by 2024, including 15% access to safe drinking water and 30% access to piped drinking water. However, in the last three years, the coverage of potable water has only increased by 1.5%. Therefore, intensive steps are needed to increase the number of beneficiaries of national clean water services.

“The government has targeted the improvement of clean water for the community through a sustainable economic system. People can take advantage of the results of equal distribution of clean water services,” said Vice President K.H. Ma’ruf Amin when attending virtually the Opening of the State-Owned Enterprises (SEO) International Conference as well as the launch of the Indonesia Water Fund (IWF), in Jakarta, Monday (17/10/2022).

On this occasion, the Vice President appreciated the Ministry of SOEs for initiating the IWF program to support the financing of clean water supply in Indonesia.

“Concerning efforts to fulfill the need for clean water, I appreciate the initiative of the Ministry of SOEs, which has made a breakthrough through the Indonesia Water Fund program,” he concluded.

The Vice President added that IWF is expected to be able to optimally support the provision of clean water to the community without adding to the burden on the state budget.

“The existence of IWF as a platform to support the acceleration of investment in providing clean water connections to homes is expected to be an alternative solution for the government through non-state funding,” he said.

However, the Vice President noted that the government and SOEs could not work alone to meet the need for clean water, so the cooperation of various policymakers and the wider community is imperative so that these efforts can run optimally.

“We need the participation of the business world, philanthropy, professional organizations, academia, the media, and non-governmental organizations. This network must be developed strongly and well coordinated,” he stressed.

Closing his remarks, the Vice President hoped that this event could be of real benefit in increasing people’s access to clean water to participate in improving the community’s quality of life.

“I hope that the Indonesia Water Fund launched today can improve the welfare of the community in the future,” he concluded.

Previously, SOE Minister Erick Thohir said that only 23% of Indonesia’s population had access to clean water, and some other Indonesians still faced inequality in the price of clean water ranging from Rp. 65,000 (USD 4.4) to Rp. 140,000 (USD 9.5). ) per cubic meter. For this reason, IWF comes into being through the synergy of various parties to increase access to clean water.

“Through the synergy between SOEs, and strategic partners, both global and private, IWF is expected to be an alternative solution for the government in expanding access to clean water for the community,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that the government’s strategic steps in developing the country needed SOEs’ support. It can be proven when the Indonesian nation is facing the Covid-19 pandemic, SOEs play an essential role.

“SOE, with its two functions as a value creator and agent of development, can provide the goods and services needed. SOEs are present in all sectors, industry, mining, health, forestry, tourism, and infrastructure. I can say that in this era, SOEs play a huge role, especially during the pandemic. In the last three years, they have contributed greatly to stabilizing the economy,” said Luhut.

Present at the event were former British Prime Minister Mr. Tony Blair, Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan, and Deputy Governor of Bali Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawat.

Meanwhile, the Vice President was accompanied by the Head of the Vice President Secretariat Ahmad Erani Yustika, Deputy for Government Policy Support and National Insights Velix Wanggai, Special Staff for the Vice President Muhammad Nasir, Masduki Baidlowi, and Robikin Emhas. (SM/LHS– BPMI, Setwapres)