Special Committee Must Be Able To Help Government Recommend Policy To Overcome Air Pollution

Photo by NIKLAS LINEGER on Unsplash

JAKARTA - The DPR has an intention to form a special committee (special committee) to overcome the problem of air pollution which is a serious problem, especially in the Jabodetabek area. If it is formed, the DPR Special Committee must be able to help the Government determine the most effective policies in overcoming the problem of air pollution.

"If we look at the air quality in DKI and its surroundings in the last two months, it is indeed in a level far from the threshold based on the Air Quality Index. And I see the role of the DPR is very important to find a solution to this problem," said Public Health Expert, Dr. Hermawan Saputra, Saturday 26 August.

The Special Committee itself is a combination of the Commissions of the DPR RI which was formed based on the needs to discuss certain problems that develop in the community or the emergence of emergency conditions that need attention from the Government.

Commission IV of the House of Representatives in charge of Environmental Affairs highlighted the smoke from industrial factories as one of the most fatal pollutions and had an impact on air quality, so it asked the Government to conduct periodic evaluations of factories to continue to refer to the analysis of their environmental impacts (amdals).

The DPR also continues to voice and seeks the most effective policy formation in the context of reducing emissions. One of them is through the Draft Law on New Energy and Renewable Energy to create a climate for developing sustainable and fair new and renewable energy (EBT) so that the benefits can be felt by all people.

"If we look at the scale of the industry that has air particles that become waste, it produces carbon dioxide and so on, it is around Jabodetabek itself. Tangerang, Bogor, Bekasi are industrial areas," said Hermawan.

The General Chairperson Elected by the Association of Indonesian Public Health Experts (IAKMI) also mentioned that the problem of air pollution is related to weather issues. Especially, said Hermawan, when extreme dryness occurs today and also the problem of changing weather impacts from lifestyle so far.

"Freon use and so on for cooling causes the impact on ozone to allow it to be a compilation factor for environmental damage and affect the weather climate and ultimately air quality in us and its surroundings," he said.

"We must also anticipate, lest this situation be added to land forest fires, including the clearing of peatlands and others. Therefore, the role of the DPR is in evaluating the Government's policies, then looking at the environmental health system," added Hermawan.

DPR through its various functions and authorities is considered to be a guide for the Government in anticipating the impact of air pollution in the future. Hermawan said that the DPR as a partner of the Government could provide recommendations for the Government to make the best possible policies.

For example, how DKI Jakarta and its surroundings can optimally organize green open areas. The DPR can also investigate the extent of the study of the situation due to air pollution," said the University of Indonesia graduate.

Regarding the solution to the problem of air pollution, the Chairperson of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, repeatedly reminded the Government to formulate integrated policies ranging from short, medium, to long-term solutions. Moreover, air pollution is very risky for children because it can cause disease.

"Analysis of the impact and cause needs to be done appropriately and systematically. So it is important that the DPR hold an audience with experts in policy spaces to listen to the real situation," explained Hermawan.

Through a special committee involving many stakeholders, including ministries and DPR partner institutions, it is hoped that effective and measurable policies will emerge to overcome the problem of air pollution. If the DPR becomes a special committee, Hermawan encourages the legislative institution to open up space for participation for experts.

"The special committee will be very powerful if they have listened to the opinion of multi stakeholders, especially how the government's attitude and process of implementing the prevention of poor air quality control," said the Lecturer of the Postgraduate Study Program for Public Health Sciences Uhamka Jakarta.

"The formation of the Special Committee needs to be encouraged because it can listen to perspectives from the Government and the DPR can judge if the implementation of policies is not carried out optimally. Of course, the involvement of health and environmental experts is also very important," continued Hermawan.

To overcome the problem of air pollution, the DPR can also ensure policy harmonization between the central and regional governments. Especially in the capital city of Jakarta and its buffer cities. Hermawan said that the functions and roles of the DPR are needed in this regard.

Because every day millions of people from Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi fulfill the capital city. Policy harmonization can synchronize environmental policies and health analysis that will occur from air pollution. Here the role of the DPR is also very important," he explained.