Industry coordination needed to tackle pollution problems
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.