Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, is currently facing one of its worst air pollution crises. Indonesian authorities have attributed the deteriorating air quality to the dry season and the high number of motorized vehicles in the city. This announcement comes after a Swiss air quality technology company labeled Jakarta as the most polluted city in the world.
Over the past few months, heavy smoke and gray skies have become a daily occurrence in Jakarta, home to over 11 million people and a total of 30 million in the greater metropolitan area. The city consistently ranks high on the list of the world’s most polluted cities and was recently named the most polluted by IQAir, a Swiss-based ranking organization.
Asep Kuswanto, the head of Jakarta Environment Agency, addressed the issue at a conference last Friday, stating that the condition of Jakarta’s air quality throughout 2023 has fluctuated quite a bit. He explained that the city is currently experiencing the dry season, which lasts from July to September, and exacerbates air pollution. The eastern side of the country contributes to the worsening air quality by sending dry air to the greater Jakarta area.
The use of motorized vehicles is another major contributing factor to the city’s poor air quality. Data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry revealed that 44% of air pollution comes from transportation, while 31% comes from the industrial sector. Jakarta’s streets are congested with inefficient and polluting vehicles, particularly motorcycles. Maintenance standards for these vehicles are generally low, and enforcement is rare. Compounding the issue, the lack of a comprehensive public transportation system means that most people rely heavily on private vehicles, resulting in hours-long traffic jams.
The consequences of air pollution are becoming increasingly evident in Jakarta. Respiratory diseases believed to be linked to air pollution are on the rise, prompting alarm among health officials. The Jakarta health office acknowledged that there has been an increase in health problems caused by air pollution in 2023 compared to the previous year. Dwi Oktavia, the head of disease prevention and control at the Jakarta Health Agency, emphasized the urgency to tackle the issue, suggesting that active use of public transportation and bicycles is necessary.
President Joko Widodo has also recognized that air pollution in Jakarta has been a long-standing problem. As a solution, he proposed moving the capital city from Jakarta to Nusantara, an island in Borneo, approximately 2,000 kilometers northeast of Jakarta. This plan would involve constructing government buildings and housing from scratch in the port city of Balikpapan. Widodo also stressed the importance of developing a mass transportation system to alleviate the burden on Jakarta.
Overall, the air pollution crisis in Jakarta is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention. While the dry season and motorized vehicles are identified as the primary causes, addressing this crisis requires comprehensive measures such as improving public transportation infrastructure, promoting the use of bicycles, and enforcing stricter vehicle maintenance standards. The health and well-being of millions of citizens depend on effective actions being taken to combat air pollution in Jakarta.
