The Indonesian president has been judged culpable in the city of Jakarta's dirty air

[ASEAN NOW Content Team]

 

President Joko Widodo and other top officials in Indonesia have been found guilty of negligence in the fight against air pollution in Jakarta, according to an Indonesian court.

The court, in a landmark decision, ordered monitoring stations and other measures to enhance the air quality in the city.

Residents filed the complaint in 2019, and the verdict has been postponed multiple times since then.

According to US experts, air pollution is shortening the life expectancy of Jakarta inhabitants by 5.5 years.

 

Heavy traffic and coal-fired power plants without filters are to blame for the city's persistent pollution, which has a population of ten million people.

Mr Widodo has been ordered by the district court to improve the national standard of air quality, and the province government has been ordered to conduct checks such as periodic emission tests for older vehicles in Jakarta, as well as outdoor air quality examinations.

 

The court ruled that this information must be made public.

Residents who are concerned about the impact on their health have filed a lawsuit against President Widodo, the environment ministry, the governor of Jakarta, and others.

One of the plaintiffs, Khalisah Khalid, a researcher, said she took part because her 10-year-old son had regular nosebleeds and allergies.

"This is the setting.
I want my child to be able to live a healthier life, breathe clean, healthy air, and participate in sports "She spoke to the BBC in Indonesian.

 

"I'm sure all parents, all mothers, want their children to be able to thrive and grow in a safe and healthy atmosphere."

According to another plaintiff, the court's decision was a positive start.

"Because the government breaths the same air as us, we hope they are now aware of it and are taking proactive measures to make our air cleaner," said Veronica, who goes by one name like many Indonesians.

According to the University of Chicago's Air Quality Life Index, Jakarta's particle pollution levels are six times the World Health Organization's recommendation limit.

 

Meanwhile, President Widodo is moving Indonesia's capital from Jakarta to East Kalimantan, on the island of Borneo, nearly 1,300 kilometres (800 miles) away.

Local media reported on Wednesday that he said authorities would benefit from the fresh air and green environs there.
Ministers currently require police escorts to navigate Jakarta's notorious traffic and arrive on time for meetings.

Mr Widodo noted that some basic infrastructure in the new capital might be operational by 2024, but officials estimate that the project will take up to 20 years to complete.