Compaign on emission tests vital to make it a success

Compaign on emission tests vital to make it a success

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Environmentalists stressed on Friday the importance of a
sustained public awareness campaign on low emissions to prevent
corruption before the city administration makes emission checks
on private cars mandatory.

The plan for compulsory emission checks is stipulated in
Gubernatorial Decree No. 95/2000. An emission check will be
needed in order to extend a private car's registration (STNK).
The plan, however, has been delayed several times as neither the
public nor the administration are ready for its implementation.

Interviewed separately, the environmentalists told The Jakarta
Post that the plan should take a step-by-step, but systematic,
approach to ensure its success.

"We must promote the importance of keeping our car emissions
low for our own benefit first before enforcing the new
regulation," head of the air pollution control division at the
City Environmental Management Agency (BPLHD), Yunani Kartawirya
said.

Currently, only public transportation vehicles have to undergo
regular emission tests. Implementation has, however, been marred
by corruption, leaving city transportation in poor condition both
as regards physical appearance and emission levels.

"Once the public has enough knowledge about the importance of
low emissions, they will do their best to keep them low, closing
off the loopholes that allow corruption to flourish," said
Yunani.

Under the new regulation, motorists can have their cars
checked at service stations that have been appointed by the city
administration. The stations will then issue a special
certificate stating that the car has met the required standard.

Restiti of Swisscontact said that there were many loopholes
that could lead to corruption in such emission inspections, but
added it would be better to do something than nothing at all.

"It may take a long time to eradicate corruption but we have
to do something to get cleaner air.

"But, a sustained campaign will lead the owners to realize
that they can make a difference in ensuring clean air by keeping
their car emissions low.

"Once they understand this, they will be immune to
corruption," she said.

Meanwhile, coordinator of the Joint Committee on the Phasing
Out of Leaded Fuel (KPBB), Achmad Syarifuddin stressed the need
for city agencies to improve their performances.

"Agencies like the City Transport Agency and the BPLHD must
improve their accountabilities in controlling and monitoring the
workshops," he said.

Starting next Wednesday, when the trial implementation of the
new regulation is launched, motorists will be able to have the
emissions of their cars checked at a number of appointed service
stations. The trial program will last for a year. An evaluation
will be carried before the city administration decides when all
private car owners will be required to take the test.

The city's emission standard is 4.5 percent for CO (carbon
monoxide) and 1,200 ppm (parts per million) for HC (hydrocarbon)
emitted by vehicles using gasoline.

Diesel-powered vehicles must have an opacity level of 50
percent for exhaust fumes.

Low emission levels can be achieved through routine
maintenance. It is estimated this could save 65 million liters of
fuel each year making up five percent of annual fuel consumption.