"All of this is a discourse that is still in the in-depth study stage, especially the pros and cons related to the benefits and burdens that will be borne by society. The government will be careful in implementing new taxes and ensure that the impactJakarta (ANTARA) - There is no government plan to increase taxes on fuel-based motorcycles in the near term, spokesperson for the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Jodi Mahardi, said on Friday.
He informed that the statement made by Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, on the matter was among the topics discussed at a recent cross-ministerial/institutional coordination meeting on efforts to improve air quality in the Greater Jakarta Area.
"Minister Pandjaitan does not plan to implement the regulation in the near future. It was a topic of discussion to improve air quality in Jakarta," Mahardi said on Friday.
The tax proposal was raised during the coordination meeting as a measure that could force the public to switch from private vehicles to public transportation, he said. Other proposals discussed at the meeting included incentives such as fare discounts for public transport users, he added.
"All of this is a discourse that is still in the in-depth study stage, especially the pros and cons related to the benefits and burdens that will be borne by society. The government will be careful in implementing new taxes and ensure that the impact does not burden the community," Mahardi explained.
Earlier, Pandjaitan shared a proposal to increase taxes on non-electric motorbikes to subsidize public transportation, such as Light Rail Transit (LRT). The idea is also expected to help lower air pollution and support Indonesia's competitiveness in developing the electric vehicle industry.
According to the minister, his ministry has formulated several mitigation measures on climate change and energy security, which will be discussed at a limited meeting, so President Joko Widodo can take a decision on them next week.
"In the past few months, we have learned the problem. I think this is a good opportunity to make Jakarta's air cleaner, healthier, and reduce medical subsidies, which reach Rp10 trillion. Economy and air pollution handling must work hand-in-hand," he said.
The problem of air pollution, Pandjaitan added, does not target people from a certain rank, position, ethnicity, or religion. Therefore, all parties must work together to handle this matter, he continued.
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Translator: Ade Irma J, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Arie Novarina
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