More on air pollution

With regard to improving Jakarta's air quality, it is fairly obvious that requiring vehicles to be emission tested or mandating maintenance programs for motor vehicles is cumbersome, difficult to enforce, and likely to be circumvented.

Mr. F. Fudyanto Suradibroto's letter (The Jakarta Post, June 20 1996) was exactly to the point. Natural gas is a clean-burning fuel and is abundant in Indonesia. The cost of converting existing gas stations and vehicles to natural gas is significant but because of Indonesia's current petroleum position it would be economically desirable. Most countries are locked into using gasoline for cars and have little economic incentive to change. However, because of its huge natural gas reserves, Indonesia has a strong incentive to convert.

It is known within the oil industry that Indonesia will soon be in danger of becoming an oil importer rather than an exporter. Because oil is a valuable source of foreign currency and also easier to ship overseas than gas, it is sensible to promote the use of gas domestically and save oil for exporting.

Once the current large gas pipeline and gas field projects are on line and delivery systems are complete, there will be pressure to convert power plants and other large energy users to natural gas. Since automobiles are a major user of oil, at some point this pressure would extend to converting motor vehicle fuels as well.

Gas stations could convert to natural gas in a phased transition and then car owners and manufacturers would be forced to convert as well. Conversion kits are available for almost any make of car. This would radically reduce the polluting emissions from cars, rapidly reduce air pollutant levels and benefit the economy as well. At some point in the future Jakarta may not only have wholesome, pleasant air, but also be under economic and environmental pressure to make further changes. Unfortunately for us that looks to be at least 10 years in the future.

MARCUS L. CARY Jakarta