President Jokowi Unveils Directives Regarding Air Quality in Greater Jakarta
President Jokowi chairs a Limited Meeting at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta on Monday (08/14). (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Rahmat)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Monday (08/14) chaired a limited meeting on measures to improve air quality in Greater Jakarta area, which has significantly worsened in recent times.
“Over the past week, the air quality in the Greater Jakarta area has been very, very poor, and on the 13th of August, the health quality index in Jakarta reached the number of 156, which means ‘unhealthy’,” he said, starting the meeting.
The President went on to say that this situation is caused by some factors, such as long drought and transport emissions.
“Some reasons that led to this condition are the long dry season over the past three months which causes the increasingly high pollutant concentrations, transport emissions, and industrial activities in the Greater Jakarta area, especially manufacture industries that use coal,” he said.
Regarding the issues, the President emphasized four directives that need to be carried out by the ministries and related institutions in the short and long terms.
In the short term, the President ordered all relevant officials to conduct some interventions in order to improve the air quality in the Greater Jakarta area, such as weather engineering and green open spaces (RTH), as soon as possible.
“Alter the weather to make rain, enforce regulations to accelerate the implementation of Euro 5 and Euro 6 emission limits, especially in the Greater Jakarta area. Furthermore, increase the amount of green open spaces. Certainly, this will require some budget. Get it ready. And if needed, we must dare to encourage many offices to impose hybrid working: work from office, work from home,” he stated.
As for the mid-term, the President instructed all officials to consistently implement the policy of reducing the use of fossil-based vehicles and immediately switching to public transport, such as Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Mass Rapid Transit (MRT).
“I suppose the LRT will be soon in operation this month, the MRT has been operating already, the high-speed rail will come to use in the next month, and also the acceleration of public vehicle electrification with government’s support,” the President pointed out.
As for the long term, the President underlined the importance of climate change mitigation and adaptation actions.
“We must monitor the industrial sector and electricity companies, especially those located in the Greater Jakarta area,” he asserted.
Moreover, the President also emphasized the urgency of mass education toward all components of society.
“Lastly, we must educate the public as much as possible,” he said. (DND/UN) (SI/MUR)
