House Member Opposes Civil Servant's EV Policy, Claims it Will Add to Congestion

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy Head of Commission D of the Development Department Nova Harivan Paloh opposed the proposed policy of the Jakarta Acting Governor Heru Budi Hartono which asked civil servants in Echelon IV position to use electric vehicles (EV). The policy is based on the meeting limited pollution meeting in the ministry office on Friday, August 18, 2023.

According to Nova, purchasing EVs, whether it is a motorcycle or a car, will only add to the already existing traffic congestion. "I disagree [with the policy], because it will add to the cost and traffic congestion. Besides, what are we supposed to do with the existing cars?" he said in his office in Jakarta on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.

In addition, Nova said, it is not easy for civil servants to use their own funds to purchase electric vehicles. The political member of the Nasdem party added that the most important thing to tackle the air pollution issue in Jakarta is to enforce the law.

Previously, Heru Budi asked Echelon IV civil servants in the provincial government of Jakarta to use their transportation support fund to purchase electric vehicles, especially electric motorcycles. However, he does not provide the detail of when this policy will be implemented.

"It is still being discussed, but the Jakarta [provincial] Echelon IV employees will be obligated to use electric vehicles, at least electric motorcycles," he said.

Furthermore, Heru Budi also proposed a 4 in 1 policy to mitigate the effects of air pollution caused by car volume in Greater Jakarta. "It is scheduled to be discussed in two weeks," said Heru Budi in Jakarta City Hall on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.

NUR KHASANAH APRILIANI | ANTARA

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