Government Plans Strategies to Improve Air Quality in Jabodetabek

Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya and Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumardi before giving the press statement, in Jakarta on Monday (08/14) (Photo by: Cabinet Secretariat/Rahmat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo asked related ranks to plan effective strategies for resolving poor air quality problem in Jakarta-Bogor-Depok-Tangerang-Bekasi (Jabodetabek) regions which was getting worse during last week. The strategies were divided into short, medium, and long terms.

“President has affirmed that the short term must have intervention and must be implemented soon” Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya said after attending limited meeting chaired by President Jokowi (08/14) int Jakarta.

Siti expressed that the intervention such as implementing Euro 5 and 6 policies, developing Open Green Space (RTH) and re-implementingwork-from-home policy.

“The medium term is reducing fossil-fuel vehicles. We have had MRT, LRT, express train, and electrification agenda. On the long term, we have started by mitigation and climate adaptation through restricted surveillance in Jabodetabek” Siti added

Moreover, Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi expressed that the government will tighten the implementation of emission test. Regarding to the utilization of vehicles, the government is considering to make 4 passengers on one car or four in one policy.

The government also encouraged to improve the use of electric vehicles and requested State Electricity Company (PLN) to build more Public Electric Vehicle Charging Station (SPKLU).

“I hope that not only government institutions but also private companies domiciled in Jabodetabek will use Electric Vehicle, such as motorcycle, car and other” Budi said.

“It means that work from home is 50 percent: 50 percent or 60 percent and 40 percent to reduce daily activities in Jakarta Regional Government. Furthermore, we have requested other ministries to work from home together” Heru said.

Heru also expressed that Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta tightened the building permit process and suggested the use of Pertamax Turbo for vehicles with the capacity of 2,400 cc. In line with central government policies, Provincial Government of DKI Jakarta also tightened the emission test for motor vehicles. (DND/KS/TGH/UN) (SS/LW)