RI's Health Budget Due To Air Pollution Reaches IDR 10 Trillion, Luhut Reveals These Two Solutions

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan talked about solutions to Jakarta's air pollution (Instagram/@luhut.pandjaitan).

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves), Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, said the budget for health subsidies due to air pollution in Jakarta had reached around Rp. 10 trillion.

"Health subsidies are now because of this (air pollution) of almost Rp. 10 trillion. So, what do we want, there are not many choices."

"However, with the efficiency we make here and there, I think it is very important," Luhut said in a video caption on his official Instagram account @luhut.pandjaitan, quoted on Saturday, January 13, 2024.

Therefore, Luhut also mentioned that there are at least two solutions to the problem of air pollution in the capital city.

First, Luhut said the Government would accelerate the use of electric vehicles (EV) in Jakarta. Second, the Government will encourage the use of fuel oil (BBM) with international standards Euro 4 and Euro 5.

"(The solution) for the Jakarta pollution problem is that we will make two things. We are accelerating the EV, including motorcycles. Second, we will also immediately decide to use Euro 4 and Euro 5 so that the sulfur is low. It will also reduce pollution," he said.

He also emphasized that air pollution does not look at positions or ranks to be able to have a negative impact on humans.

"Yes, if this pollution does not have a rank, there is no position. Everyone is affected," said Luhut.

Furthermore, said Luhut, the efficiency or efforts that will be made by the Government are also in the assessment stage.

"The president has ordered us (to) study now, tomorrow it will be meeting with the team here. I hope, next week we may be able to get the numbers out," he concluded.