Industry coordination needed to tackle pollution problems<\/p>\n
By Matthew Allen<\/p>\n
GREATER co-ordination of the government's blue sky program is
\nrequired if it is to have any impact on Jakarta's spiralling
\npollution problems.<\/p>\n
The secretary general of Gaikindo, the Association of
\nIndonesian Automotive Industries, Mr F Soeseno, said unless there
\nwas greater co-operation and co-ordination of the program, very
\nlittle could be expected to be achieved.<\/p>\n
The blue sky program is an initiative of the Department of
\nEnvironment and aims to implement strategies to try and cut the
\nunacceptable levels of traffic pollution in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
While Soeseno said Gaikindo was firmly behind the initiative,
\nhe suggested there needed to be a permanent body set up to help
\nco-ordinate and implement the strategies and ensure the measures
\nwere enforced.<\/p>\n
With another 350,000 vehicles expected to be on the roads in
\nthe next 12 months, he said it was essential the program was
\nsuccessful.<\/p>\n
\"We are getting involved in the blue sky program with the
\nDepartment of Environment,\" said Soeseno.<\/p>\n
\"The most important matter for us is that the government
\nshould establish a coordinating body,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Soeseno said Gaikindo had already started developing some
\ninitiatives to address the pollution problems such as conducting
\nindustry workshops and free emission tests for drivers.<\/p>\n
He said once an emission testing program was established, the
\nnext step would be for the local government authorities to
\nimplement a sticker system for vehicles exceeding emission
\nlimits.<\/p>\n
\"A sticker will be given for vehicles that need not only an
\ninspection, but repair and maintenance in order to recondition
\nthe vehicle to an approved level,\" Soeseno said.<\/p>\n
However, the sticker initiative will not work unless it is
\nenforced by the authorities.<\/p>\n
Gaikindo chairman Herman Latief said greater attention and
\nunderstanding by government officials and representatives would
\nbe required to implement the project.<\/p>\n
Gaikindo earlier this year proposed establishing a permanent
\ncoordinating body consisting of representatives from the
\ndepartments of industry, communication, the environment, police
\nand the automotive industry.<\/p>\n
\"If we are not coordinated and we all do it ourselves the
\nemission testing will never be effective,\" Soeseno said.<\/p>\n
PT General Motors Buana Indonesia is also a strong supporter
\nof the blue sky project.<\/p>\n
GMBI director of sales and marketing Terry Johnsson said the
\ncompany's vehicles comply with the latest emission standards and
\nhe would like the program taken a step further by making unleaded
\nfuel more readily available.<\/p>\n
\"I think there are only seven unleaded pumps in Jakarta,\"
\nJohnsson said.<\/p>\n
\"Our engines at the moment are equipped to run on leaded and
\nunleaded fuel and without any cost or any impact for the
\ncustomer.\"<\/p>\n
Leaded fuel has been found to produce serious health problems,
\nparticularly in children, with the lead build-up in the body
\nresulting in severe mental retardation.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/industry-coordination-needed-to-tackle-pollution-problems-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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