Legal sanctions needed to curb air pollution

JAKARTA (JP): The absence of legal sanctions against polluters is one obstacle to reducing air pollution, the city environmental bureau head Aboejoewono said yesterday.

Aboejoewono said this stopped the city punishing polluters that failed the second emission tests. The tests begin today and end on Jan. 9.

However, he said establishing the legal aspects of the emission tests was a long process but refused to elaborate.

Earlier, State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said incentives and not sanctions was the preferred policy in fighting pollution.

Earlier tests were done in June.

Of 1,000 cars, 630 percent failed the tests. Most cars exceeded the tolerable carbon monoxide level. Too much carbon monoxide exposure causes headaches, low blood pressure and breathing difficulties among other symptoms.

He said the tests were in preparation for enforcing the 1992 Traffic and Land Transport Law which orders emission checks to determine whether vehicles are suitable for the road. The bill will become effective on Sept. 7 this year.

The law has been introduced in several phases mainly through police raids.

During the three days of tests, 10,000 cars passing designated areas will have to undergo checks by the bureau, the City Police traffic control department, and the emission detector distributor, Sucofindo.

The detector checks the carbon monoxide, nitrogen, and hydrocarbon content of cars' exhaust fumes. The tolerable level set by the bureau for car emissions is 4.5 for carbon dioxide, and 1.200 for nitrogen and hydrogen.

The tests scheduled for today are on Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat, Jl. Gunung Sahari, Central Jakarta; Jl. Benyamin S., Jl. Raya Cacing, and Jl. Kelapa Gading Boulevard, North Jakarta.

Tomorrow tests will be on Jl. Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta, Jl. Pemuda, Jl. Pondok Gede, Jl. Raya Bekasi, and Jl. Raya Bogor, East Jakarta.

On Jan. 8, the tests will be on Jl. Asia Afrika in Senayan, Central Jakarta, and Jl. Rawa Bambu Raya, Jl. Pahlawan, Jl. K.H. Mansyur, and Warung Jati Barat, South Jakarta.

On Jan. 9, tests will be on Jl. K.S. Tubun, Central Jakarta, Jl. Perjuangan, Jl. Kelapa Dua Raya, Jl. Daan Mogot, the Outer Artery, West Jakarta.

Cars which fail the tests will bear red stickers, while those which pass will get green stickers.

Aboejoewono said the bureau would distribute 15,000 handouts in city buildings providing information on permitted emission levels.

He said the second phase of the tests would be done after next month's Idul Fitri holidays. (02)