Collective Efforts Needed to Tackle Air Pollution, President Jokowi Says

Presiden Jokowi Wednesday (08/30) delivers a press statement after an inspection to the State Vocational High School of Central Java in Semarang city, Central Java province. (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has stressed that a collective effort from everyone is essential to tackle the issue of air pollution.

“This requires a joint effort from everyone and we must take measures such as shifting from private transportation to public transportation or mass transportation, planting as many trees as possible in offices or in the courtyards of offices with no trees,” the President said after visiting a State Vocational High School in the Central Java provincial capital of Semarang, Wednesday (08/30).

President Jokowi also pointed out that the Government has taken several measures to address the issue of air pollution, among others by conducting weather modification techniques (TMC).

The Government has also called for the implementation of the work-from-home scheme, he added.

“[We] are also monitoring power plant industry. We are doing everything now, including on motorcycles and cars. We are checking their emissions,” he added.

President Jokowi also underlined that the Government would impose strict sanctions on industries that fail to comply with regulations set by the Government such as the requirement to install scrubbers. The President even warned that the industry could be shut down.

“Sanctions are certain and [the industry] could be shut down. I said yesterday during a meeting that if you don’t want to fix this, if you don’t install scrubbers, we are firm on this because the price we pay for our health is very expensive,” he said, adding that these measures need time and therefore the air pollution problem will be solved gradually.

“I believe this indeed needs comprehensive work and cooperation, but it takes time, it can’t be done immediately, including through the adoption of electric cars. We are doing a lot to solve this, but it is indeed done in stages,” he remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (FI/EP)