Govt Monitors Coal Power Plants Behind Jakarta Air Pollution

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) deployed 100 personnel to oversee various sources of air pollution in the Greater Jakarta area.

Led by the Director General of Environmental and Forestry Law Enforcement, the personnel would directly supervise pollution sources, such as coal-fired power plants (PLTU), diesel-fueled power plants (PLTD), industrial factories, waste incineration, and electronic waste.

“This monitoring is initiated in the event of law enforcement against air pollution in Jabodetabek [Greater Jakarta],” the KLHK spokesperson Nunu Anugrah said in a press release published on the ministry’s website today, August 21, 2023.

Nunu explained that the monitoring of exhaust emissions had also begun, starting with government agencies and joint operations by the regional government and the regional police. 

Last weekend, he added, the Director General conducted coaching of the field inspection.

Measures to mitigate and control air pollution in the areas of Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi (Jabodetabek) are stipulated in the Minister of Environment and Forestry Decree SK.929/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/8/2023.

Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya appointed the Director General of Environment and Forestry Law Enforcement as the task force chairman and the Director General of Pollution Control and Environmental Damage as the executive chairman.

“The field team must have started the work. Monitoring all pollution sources is crucial. Other than improving air quality, it is also aimed at controlling the implementation of provisions on environmental protection and management, including permits,” Siti Nurbaya remarked.

The inspection of emissions has started since August 17, 2023. Minister Siti stated that it would not be difficult to conduct as the ministry had already implemented such a system in 2022.

Furthermore, field operations would take place on certain roads, which are currently being planned by the Metro Jaya Police and regional governments of Greater Jakarta.

As part of the effort, the Environment and Forestry Ministry provided an emissions testing facility at its office complex in Manggala Wanabakti, which is open to the public. “I have asked the Secretary-General to prepare this facility to ease and motivate people to maintain and care for their vehicles,” Minister Siti said.

IQBAL MUHTAROM

Editor's Choice: 7 Diseases Caused by Exposure to Air Pollution

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo in Google News