Environment and Forestry (KLHK) Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar revealed that during a limited meeting on air pollution at Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Monday, President Joko Widodo called for the immediate implementation of all workable measures, including the one proposed by Jakarta acting governor Heru Budi Hartono.
"Earlier, Mr. Governor stated that (his side) would soon carry out inspection on motorized vehicle emission test compliance. It is likely that we will start in Jabodetabek before proceeding to other regions," she said.
According to the minister, the level of awareness of Indonesian citizens regarding the importance of carrying out vehicle emission tests is still lower than that of some other countries.
She cited the example of DKI Jakarta, saying that only 3.86 percent and 10.69 percent of vehicles have been tested in Central Jakarta and North Jakarta, respectively.
Minister Bakar then affirmed that the promotion of emission tests constitutes a quick resort with the objective of yielding immediate results in efforts to tackle the bad air quality in the capital city.
"The emission test urges vehicle owners to carry out inspection and maintenance on their own vehicles," she pointed out.
Furthermore, she noted that the obligation to carry out such tests also extends to vehicles belonging to ministries, agencies, and regional governments.
To push for compliance with the obligation, she said that the government will require people to confirm that their vehicles have passed the test before submitting requests for vehicle registration certificate extension and paying the related taxes.
Jakarta's environment and transportation offices are planning to form a task force with the traffic police to carry out the compliance inspection and impose sanctions on those found to not have fulfilled the obligation.
The inspection system managed by the Jakarta government will be directly connected to the police's system of electronic traffic violation tickets.
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Translator: Mentari Dwi, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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