Amien Rais calls for revision of Electricity Bill
Tuesday, April 23 2002 - 03:13 AM WIB
The speaker of the country?s highest legislative body warned on Monday that the current draft of the electricity law was too liberal. The proposed law, which will allow private companies to operate in power distribution and transmission activities, could lead to the control of the country?s electricity services by foreign parties, he added.
"If the electricity services fall into the hands of foreigners, the people who would suffer more due to over pricing," he told reporters following a meeting with the association of electricity workers at his office on Monday.
The draft law which is now being deliberated by the House?s Commission VIII, allows both local private companies and foreign companies not only in providing power supply but also in distribution and transmission activities.
Amien Rais said that if such an article was not revised, foreign investors would eventually be able to control all activities related to power generation, transmission and distribution.
According to the existing law, foreign investors are allowed to provide power supply but it could not sell the power to public directly. Transmission and distribution rights are solely held by PLN.(*)