City to be free of leaded gasonline by 2001
City to be free of leaded gasonline by 2001
JAKARTA (JP): An international environment agency official
hinted on Thursday that the capital would be free of leaded
gasoline by Jan. 1, 2001, and nationwide by 2003.
"The decision is stipulated in the 1999 Decree of the Minister
of Mining and Energy No. 1585, which states there will be no lead
in premium and high octane premix in 2003," said Dollaris Riauaty
of Swisscontact -- an international agency sponsored by the Swiss
government -- on Thursday.
She was speaking on the sidelines of a meeting with repair
stations that will be participating in a one-month vehicle gas
emission examination. The activity is slated for April 17 to May
17.
Lead is added to fuel to increase an engine's octane level,
boosting its performance. However, leaded fuel causes
environmental and health problems. Every year Indonesia suffers
health losses of Rp 2 trillion (US$ 266 million) because of
leaded gasoline.
"Former President Soeharto stated in 1996 that we would stop
using leaded fuel by 1999. But our fuel is still leaded," said
Dollaris.
"We don't know what our government has done to reach the goal.
Some officials doubt that we can even do so," she added.
Dollaris suggested that lead could be replaced by another
pollution-free substance, namely HOMC.
"The investment needed to construct a HOMC factory is US$ 190
million. We'll spend more money if we decide to import the HOMC,"
she said.
"Such an investment is still smaller than Pertamina's
mishandling of US$ 6 billion over a two-year period during the
economic crisis."
She put the blame of continual use of leaded gasoline on the
government's monopoly on fuel business.
"We have no other choice than procuring leaded gasoline
because of such monopoly practices," she said.
"Besides, the government can't afford such a factory because
the fund is needed to support the education and health sectors."
Dollaris also blamed fuel subsidies for the ongoing use of
leaded gasoline.
"Fuel subsidies have made gasoline prices affordable," she
said.
She stated that the vehicle gas emission examination was aimed
at private car owners. Records show there are some 1.5 million
private cars in the capital alone.
"Owners of private vehicles are urged to take their cars to
the registered repair stations for free emission inspection.
Routine maintenance is also important in keeping emissions low,"
she said.
"Low emission means low fuel consumption, better performance
and fresher air," she added.
She said there are 117 repair stations which have the ability
and equipment to examine emission levels.
"We need about 300 stations to serve the 1.5 million private
automobiles." (nvn)