`Air pollution almost choking me to death'

To mark the 31st World Environment Day this year, people around the world are reminded about damaging planet Earth. The capital city, Jakarta, has seen a degradation in the quality of its environment. Air pollution is a serious problem here. The Jakarta Post asked some ordinary city dwellers about the issue.

Abdul Madjid, 50, is a public minivan driver on the route from Senen, Central Jakarta, to Kampung Melayu, East Jakarta. He lives in Senen with his wife and four children:

I have worked as a driver for more than 16 years and I reckon that the pollution is almost intolerable now.

The pollution is so bad that many times it seems to choke me to death, particularly when there are a lot of public vehicles in the bus station, or in severe traffic congestion.

Worse still, the environment has also been damaged due to the carelessness of residents. Look at the reality in most of the city's rivers.

The flow of rivers is always slowed down by the trash dumped by people living nearby.

The government also deserves blame for all the environmental problems that occur in the city.

The absence of strict regulations and harsh measures have contributed to the problems.

Pollution problems could be solved by the proper implementation of vehicle emission tests.

Ronni, 16, is a shoe polish boy who operates in Kampung Melayu bus station, East Jakarta. He lives in Cipinang, East Jakarta, with his friends:

I think the smoke from public transportation is so bad that it seems that there is no more fresh air in the city.

However, street children like me, who always work on the street, become accustomed to the air. I don't feel bothered by the situation here any longer. That is the reality, so I can do nothing to change it.

The environment where I live is also bad. I see many residents dump their trash every day into the river. Many more people are becoming so careless.

Consequently, the river cannot flow as it should and, worse still, it results in uncontrollable flooding.

If we want to improve the environment, maybe those people should be given a severe warning.

Just imagine how fresh the city would be if there were urban forests here!

Karta, is a bus crewman on the air-conditioned public bus between Cimone in Tangerang and Blok M in South Jakarta. He lives in Tangerang, Banten, with his wife and three children:

I think the pollution in the city is so bad that I can hardly describe it.

Roads are clogged with thousands of vehicles, most of which produce heavy exhaust fumes that pollute the atmosphere.

I don't have any idea about how to cope with the situation. Maybe the government should strictly control the ownership of vehicles and roadworthiness of public transportation. However, I realize that it's not that easy.

Besides, the housing environment is also becoming uncomfortable now, due to poor planning.

Also, residents from upmarket housing complexes usually dump their household waste in nearby ditches, thus damaging their environment.

-- Leo Wahyudi S