Curbing pollution

I agree with most of Mr. Gentry's letter What is to be done about Jakarta air (The Jakarta Post, June 18, 1996). I like to see a guy throwing brains rather than money at a problem. Permit me to add something.

I believe the high tax on new vehicles is one of the largest causes of pollution in Indonesia. The average Indonesian Angkutan Kota (public transport vehicle) would choke the analyzer Gentry has described in a few seconds, being built for new American vehicles. Giving tax-breaks to public transport vehicle and taxi owners would be a good starting point to curbing pollution in Jakarta.

I still think having diesel truck manufacturers give vocational training to mechanics would help. If the vehicles does not get a clean bill of health from the analyzer, the owner has to have it repaired by a trained mechanic.

The Post reported that the World Bank insists -- for the second time -- on the costly unleaded course of action Mr. Gentry has described. Lets throw brains against the problem, not money.

OSVALDO COELHO

Bandung, West Java