Air Pollution In Jakarta Makes Jokowi Cough

President Joko Widodo chaired a limited meeting to discuss air pollution at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday (14/8/2023). (ANTARA/Indra Arief Pribadi)

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf) as well as Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Ad Interim Sandiaga Uno said President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had been affected by poor and unhealthy air quality in Jabodetabek in recent days.

"The president asked that within one week there be concrete steps because the President himself had coughed, he said that for almost 4 weeks he (President Joko Widodo) had never felt this way and possibly, the doctor said, there was a contribution from unhealthy air and poor quality," Sandiaga said after a limited meeting on air pollution at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, reported by ANTARA, Monday, August 14.

Sandiaga, who was present in a limited meeting as Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Ad Interim, said President Jokowi asked the ranks of ministers and heads of related institutions to draw up concrete steps in the next week to overcome air pollution in Jabodetabek.

"Earlier the meeting agreed to concrete steps specifically to improve Jakarta's air quality because if we look at Beijing's success in doing that and I am very confident that with the collaboration of local governments, the business world, we can also improve air quality in Jakarta because it has a long-term impact on public health," he said.

Meanwhile, in terms of tourism, Sandi said, air pollution can interfere with the implementation of international marathon running competitions which are often held in Jabodetabek, as well as other sports tourism events (sports tourism).

Sandi said he was worried that if air pollution continued to deteriorate, it could reduce Jakarta's reputation as a city that often holds international marathon running competitions, and ultimately reduce the number of foreign tourist visits.

"It also has an impact on decreasing interest in traveling, especially in the Jakarta area which remains the gateway after Bali and Riau Islands (Riau Islands), the top three for foreign tourist visits," said Sandiaga Uno.

When opening the limited meeting, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) revealed that the air quality in Jabodetabek over the past week was very bad. On Saturday (12/8), the air quality in DKI Jakarta is at 156 or is categorized as unhealthy. According to Jokowi, there needs to be short-term, medium-term, and long-term steps to reduce air pollution in Jabodetabek.

"In the short term, interventions must be carried out that can improve air quality in Jabodetabek better. Then also weather engineering to provoke rain in the Jabodetabek area and apply regulations to accelerate the application of emission limits, especially in Jabodetabek. Then increase green open space," said President Jokowi.