Industry coordination needed to tackle pollution problems

By Matthew Allen

GREATER co-ordination of the government's blue sky program is required if it is to have any impact on Jakarta's spiralling pollution problems.

The secretary general of Gaikindo, the Association of Indonesian Automotive Industries, Mr F Soeseno, said unless there was greater co-operation and co-ordination of the program, very little could be expected to be achieved.

The blue sky program is an initiative of the Department of Environment and aims to implement strategies to try and cut the unacceptable levels of traffic pollution in Jakarta.

While Soeseno said Gaikindo was firmly behind the initiative, he suggested there needed to be a permanent body set up to help co-ordinate and implement the strategies and ensure the measures were enforced.

With another 350,000 vehicles expected to be on the roads in the next 12 months, he said it was essential the program was successful.

"We are getting involved in the blue sky program with the Department of Environment," said Soeseno.

"The most important matter for us is that the government should establish a coordinating body," he said.

Soeseno said Gaikindo had already started developing some initiatives to address the pollution problems such as conducting industry workshops and free emission tests for drivers.

He said once an emission testing program was established, the next step would be for the local government authorities to implement a sticker system for vehicles exceeding emission limits.

"A sticker will be given for vehicles that need not only an inspection, but repair and maintenance in order to recondition the vehicle to an approved level," Soeseno said.

However, the sticker initiative will not work unless it is enforced by the authorities.

Gaikindo chairman Herman Latief said greater attention and understanding by government officials and representatives would be required to implement the project.

Gaikindo earlier this year proposed establishing a permanent coordinating body consisting of representatives from the departments of industry, communication, the environment, police and the automotive industry.

"If we are not coordinated and we all do it ourselves the emission testing will never be effective," Soeseno said.

PT General Motors Buana Indonesia is also a strong supporter of the blue sky project.

GMBI director of sales and marketing Terry Johnsson said the company's vehicles comply with the latest emission standards and he would like the program taken a step further by making unleaded fuel more readily available.

"I think there are only seven unleaded pumps in Jakarta," Johnsson said.

"Our engines at the moment are equipped to run on leaded and unleaded fuel and without any cost or any impact for the customer."

Leaded fuel has been found to produce serious health problems, particularly in children, with the lead build-up in the body resulting in severe mental retardation.