Emission tests reveal hazy picture
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
Twenty-four of 140 private cars, or 17 percent, that underwent free emission tests at Plaza Indonesia in Central Jakarta on Tuesday failed to pass the test.
"They look disappointed not only because their cars have high emission levels but also because they could not get the free parking voucher that we give to those who pass the test," Plaza Indonesia management safety and emergency assistance division head Dody Hermawan told The Jakarta Post.
Shoppers whose cars passed the emission test received a free parking voucher of Rp 4,000, a certificate noting the cars' emission level and a sticker certifying that their cars passed the test.
Dody said the test could not be imposed to all incoming cars as it would cause traffic congestion at the shopping center's entrances.
"The test tales between three and five minutes. That's why the test was voluntary. It's up to the motorists if they want their cars tested or not," he added.
The free emission test was organized by Plaza Indonesia management in cooperation with non-governmental organization Movement for Clean Emissions (AEB) and the Jakarta Environmental Management Agency (BPLHD).
Former state minister of the environment, Sonny Keraf, who was present at the event, welcomed the free emission test for the public.
"This is a good way to raise public awareness to participate in the program as an effort to reduce air pollution in the city," he told reporters at Plaza Indonesia.
Chairman of Jakarta Residents Forum (Fakta) Azas Tigor Nainggolan praised the test but said that such efforts were not adequate.
"The quality of air in Jakarta will keep worsening if the city administration does not take the necessary measures to restrict the use of private vehicles," he said.
Vehicular emissions are responsible for 70 percent of air pollution in the city, while the remaining 30 percent is produced by industry.
Tigor proposed that the administration implement some policies including road pricing and higher parking fees to discourage people from using their cars.
"However, the efforts to minimize the use of private vehicles must be combined with a significant improvement in public transportation services," he said.
The government has yet to complete the revision of its 10-year-old, outdated national standard for vehicle emissions. The revision is expected to be finished and come into effect in September.
The Office of the State Minister for the Environment is still discussing the revision with automotive experts and local administrations to ensure that the new standard is comprehensive and applicable nationwide. The revision of Ministerial Decree No. 35/1993 on vehicle emission standards is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
BPLHD's air pollution control division head Yusiono Anwar Supalal revealed that BPLHD and AEB would hold a similar test for two days at the North Jakarta Municipal office.
"We also arrange similar test with other private companies, but we have yet to decide the exact dates," Yusiono told the Post.