TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaha Purnama’s plans to introduce vehicle age restrictions in the capital have drawn negative responses. Automotive observer Suhari Saro said Jakarta—and Indonesia in general—was not yet ready for the policy.

“Ahok wants to emulate Singapore, but we have different infrastructure,” he told Tempo on Sunday, January 25, 2015.

Suhari said the nation’s present public transports and transportation infrastructure, particularly in Jakarta, were not yet sufficient to cater to the people. Thus, Suhari said there were other alternatives that were more suitable for Indonesia rather than the planned restrictions, among them vehicle inspection, which could be carried out when vehicle owners were extending their vehicle licenses. “If a vehicle proves non-roadworthy, then it can be barred from operation,” he said.

Earlier, Ahok planned to limit the age of vehicles in the capitals’ streets to ten years as the governor was emulating neighboring Singapore to dissuade its citizens from owning vehicles so as to alleviate congestion. The planned policy will be coupled with progressive tax on Jakartans’ second and following cars.

URSULA FLORENE SONIA