Always Noting High Pollution, DKI Provincial Government Will Move Air Quality Monitoring Equipment to Lubang Buaya

ILLUSTRATION/Water mass generator at the DKI Jakarta City Hall/DOK PHOTO building: Diah Ayu-VOI

JAKARTA - Head of the DKI Jakarta Environmental Service, Asep Kuswanto, said that his party plans to move the air quality monitoring equipment placed in Lubang Buaya, Cipayung, East Jakarta.

Asep said that this air pollution monitoring device was not placed in a neutral location. This measuring instrument always shows poor air quality results throughout Jakarta.

However, Asep suggested that the DKI Provincial Government must first assess the location of the new air quality monitoring equipment before the transfer is finally carried out.

"If it is moved, there must be a study first, and we are currently conducting a study. Hopefully, if it turns out it has to be moved, we will move the equipment. Because moving equipment cannot be done haphazardly, it must be able to truly represent the conditions of the surrounding air," said Asep at DKI Jakarta City Hall, Monday, September 25.

Based on investigations by the DKI Provincial Government, it turns out that the location of the air quality monitor in Lubang Buaya is close to a tofu factory, a charcoal manufacturing factory, and a cable burning business in Bekasi.

According to Asep, the air quality monitoring equipment that the DKI Provincial Government has is very sensitive to the surrounding conditions. So, pollution that does not actually originate from Jakarta can also be read on this tool.

"Indeed, the equipment was placed on the border of DKI and Bekasi. Well, the condition is that there are many household industries around the equipment and it is still polluting (the air)," explained Asep.

Asep admitted that his party could not carry out supervision and impose sanctions on the air polluting industry because it was within the jurisdiction of the Bekasi City Government.

"If it is in the Bekasi area, the DKI Provincial Government cannot intervene. So, we ask the Ministry of Environment and Forestry for help to work together to provide intervention in this matter," he added.