People in Jakarta remain unaware of unleaded fuel

JAKARTA (JP): The initiative to remove leaded fuel from the capital is only one day away, but many residents of this city remain oblivious to the program.

Some even frowned at the idea of unleaded fuel when separately contacted on Friday.

"What is lead?" asked a woman named Lita, an employee at a multinational company.

"Well, if the fuel is better for the environment, good. As long as the price won't rise," she told The Jakarta Post.

Another woman named Christy, who works at an Australian company, said that she had heard about the program.

But she apparently had the wrong idea.

"Oh, I thought starting July 1 we should all switch to Super TT," said Christy.

Super TT is an existing unleaded fuel, which is also the most expensive form of gasoline, at Rp 2,000 (US$0.18) per liter, compared to Rp 1,450 per liter for leaded gasoline.

According to Christy, if the government wants to make such an important program, it should make public advertisements.

"If the government only announces it and it is published in a regular article in the media, people won't read it," she asserted.

As for auto repair shops, most of them admitted that they were familiar with the program to remove leaded fuel.

However, there are some concerns among mechanics as to how unleaded fuel will effect vehicle engines.

Sugi, the head of Bengkel Mobil Metro repair shop in Cidodol, South Jakarta, said that he heard that unleaded fuel would damage engines.

"I read in a tabloid that such fuel only suits new cars. As for old ones, like those that were produced before the 90s, it will damage their engines," he told the Post on Friday.

Meanwhile, Agung from Auto 2000 repair shop in Sunter, North Jakarta voiced the same concern.

"I hope it won't damage car engines," he said.

Earlier this week, automotive experts noted that unleaded fuel will not have a negative impact on relatively new car engines.

But cars produced before 1985 need to make some adjustment as lead is required to cover the valve seat in their engines.

Experts have said that owners of such cars could either change the valve seat or add additional substances.

Some customers who have old cars and are familiar with unleaded fuel, seem to be ready for the shift.

Aji, who owns a 1979 Mercedes, said that he would be ready to make the necessary adjustments. Such alteration would need between Rp 500,000 to Rp 1 million, he said.

The government will launch on Sunday the campaign to free the capital from leaded fuel. The official launching ceremony will be led by City Governor Sutiyoso and State Minister of Environment Sonny Keraf at the National Monument. (hdn)