When water and political power intersect: a journalist probes the story of water privatization in Jakarta, Indonesia.(Watchdog) From: Nieman Reports | Date: March 22, 2005| Author: Harsono, Andreas | COPYRIGHT 2005 Harvard University, Nieman Foundation. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

When I got an assignment in late 2001 to report on the privatization of Jakarta's water company, I knew that it was going to be difficult, requiring a lot of research and interviews. But what I could not have imagined then is that I'd be witness to the deterioration of Indonesia's two largest companies, which were closely related to Indonesian strongman General Suharto.

As I began my reporting, Sigit Harjojudanto, Suharto's eldest son, who collaborated with the British-G...