Instead of implementing WFH, improving our public transport is more important
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) stated that the idea to implement a work-from-home (WFH) policy was not a solution to handle the problem of air pollution in Jakarta.

"Air pollution is not a new problem. Instead of implementing WFH, improving our public transport is more important," IDAI member from the Respiration Coordination Working Unit, Dr Darmawan Budi Setyanto, SpA(K), stated at a webinar in Jakarta, Friday.

Hence, his side encourages improvements to public transportation modes to motivate people to switch from private vehicles to public transportation.

He remarked that currently, Jakarta's air quality index is at 152.

Hence, his side encourages policy makers to observe the city's air quality index for the past few days. If there has been a sharp increase in recent weeks, then immediate action must be taken.

"However, if Jakarta's air quality index shows the same number, it means there is no new situation," Setyanto remarked.

He noted that the air pollution issue is different from the emergency situation of the COVID-19 pandemic that requires people to work from home to prevent the spread of the virus.

"We have just experienced a situation that requires work from home, which is a pandemic situation. That situation was not an urgency but an emergency, so we were required to stay at home for quite a long time back then," he stated.

Earlier, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized that it was necessary to push for a hybrid working system to reduce air pollution in Jakarta-Bogor-Depok-Tangerang-Bekasi (Jabodetabek), which in the last week was reported to be in a very bad category.

"If needed, we must encourage many offices to carry out hybrid working, a balance between working from the office and WFH, as soon as possible," he stated on August 14.

On August 12, the air quality in Jakarta was recorded at 156 or included in the unhealthy category.

Jokowi said the long dry season and the use of energy sources from coal are the main factors causing the poor air quality in Jabodetabek.

Related news: Ministry still studying WFH discourse to reduce pollution in Jakarta
Related news: Ministry to form Jabodetabek air pollution control task force
Related news: Minister urges people to wear masks to prevent respiratory infections

Translator: Anita Permata D, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2023