Motorized Vehicles Main Causes Jakarta Air Pollution

JAKARTA - Minister of Environment and Forestry (LHK) Siti Nurbaya Bakar said motorized vehicles were the main cause of cases of air pollution in the Jakarta area.

"In our notes, there are 24.5 million motorized vehicles in 2022," he said in a limited meeting on improving air quality as reported by ANTARA, Monday, August 14.

A total of 24.5 million motorized vehicles in Jakarta, the majority are motorcycles with a composition of 78 percent. The average growth of motorized vehicles per year is 5.7 percent or the equivalent of 1.2 million units and 6.38 percent of motorcycles or the equivalent of 1.04 million units.

Motorcycles produce the highest burden of pollution per passenger compared to private gasoline cars, diesel private cars, passenger cars, and buses.

Minister Siti said that not only motor vehicle emissions affect air quality, but there is also a long dry season, concentration of pollutants, and industrial manufacturing.

The government invites the public to carry out motor vehicle emission tests as one of the quick steps to deal with air pollution. Emission tests encourage the community to carry out inspections and maintenance of their own vehicles.

Based on Vital Strategies data, the level of compliance with the people of Jakarta with emission test obligations is still very low. West Jakarta is only 7.45 percent, South Jakarta is only 4.53 percent, Central Jakarta is only 3.86 percent, East Jakarta is only 4.72 percent, and North Jakarta is 10.69 percent.

"Emission test is a very precise step and needs to be done with results that can be felt immediately," said Siti.

The Minister of Environment and Forestry conveyed that the emission test rules were carried out first in Jakarta or Jabodetabek. If the activity goes well, the government will expand the regulation throughout Indonesia.

In addition, all ministries/agencies and local governments are required to impose emission tests for all motorized vehicles that enter office facilities.

"Then, enter the emission test pass requirements for the extension of the STNK and payment of motor vehicle taxes," concluded Minister Siti.