Curbing pollution

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