Jakarta's Air Quality is Bad, PKS Criticizes DKI Provincial Government: Pollution Handling Budget As If It's Being Saved

Illustration-(Photo: DOC. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Secretary of PKS faction DPRD DKI Jakarta M. Taufik Zoelkifli ridiculed the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government which according to him is not optimal in allocating the budget for air pollution control in the Capital City.

This, said Taufik, was seen from the evaluation budget for bicycle lanes where there was no allocation for additional lanes. Then, the arrangement of pedestrian paths seems to be minimized.

"In fact, the budget for bicycle and pedestrian paths must be increased. Only now are we making a fuss over pollution. But, if we talk about the budget that is pro-pollution handling, it seems as if it's being economical," said Taufik to journalists, Wednesday, August 9.

According to Taufik, the poor air quality in Jakarta that people complain about is a warning for all parties to be more aware of the importance of alleviating pollution.

"This is a strong warning for us. The city is an ecosystem. Pollution is actually the result of that ecosystem, not just the result of policies, or merely people's habits," said Taufik.

Furthermore, Taufik asked the DKI Provincial Government to speed up the conversion of diesel-based vehicles to electric vehicles. Also, more vigorous mainstreaming of bicycle lanes and walking modes.

"The community as vehicle users are also aware that there is also a contribution to air pollution from congested traffic. So, everyone can be more aware of taking public transportation," he explained.

Acting (Pj) Governor of DKI Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono previously admitted that the problem of air pollution in the Capital City is a serious challenge for the government. Until now, the poor air quality in Jakarta cannot be resolved.

Heru explained, the main cause of high air pollution in his area was the use of motorized vehicles owned by Jabodetabek residents who carry out activities every day.

This was conveyed by Heru in the Merdeka Barat 9 Forum discussion entitled Road to ASEAN Summit which raised the theme "ASEAN Smart Cities, Levels of Quality of Life" which was held online.

"In the last 1.5 years, four-wheeled vehicles have gone from 4 million to 6 million now. Likewise two-wheeled vehicles from 14 million to 16 million. Those with plate B, that's Jabodetabek and almost all of them enter Jakarta. So, it's Jakarta's burden. heavy," said Heru, Tuesday, August 8.

Even though there is contribution from the use of vehicles from outside the area, Heru emphasized that this does not reduce the responsibility of the DKI Provincial Government in controlling air pollution.

One of the efforts is to add electric bus vehicles with a target of 100 buses for the next 2 years. Then, the DKI Provincial Government began to gradually switch official vehicles to electric ones.

"Then the Regional Government of DKI plants trees every Friday. So do I, when I'm free, every Tuesday and Friday we plant trees. It's been a long generation, maybe it's not felt now," explained Heru.

"Next, use mass transportation that has been built by the regional government of DKI and the central government, thereby reducing congestion and reducing air emissions in Jakarta," he added.