Jakarta needs new air pollution control rules

An environmental advocacy group is pressing the Jakarta Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) to prioritize updating the city's air pollution control regulations. The existing law, enacted in 2005, is considered outdated and inadequate to tackle the increasingly complex air quality issues facing the Indonesian capital.

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When this regulation was passed in 2005, the air pollution challenges in Jakarta were certainly different from now. Over the past two decades, new pollutants such as PM2.5, which impact public health, have been identified. Therefore, we hope the revision of this regulation becomes a priority for the DPRD.

Bicara Udara, an organization focused on air quality, argues that the two-decade-old regulation fails to account for new pollutants like PM2.5, which have significant health impacts. The group is advocating for the revision of the regulation as part of the 2027 Regional Regulation Formation Program (Propemperda), urging the DPRD to select it among the proposed drafts for discussion.

Novita Natalia, Co-Founder of Bicara Udara, highlighted that the sources of pollution have diversified over the years, now encompassing transportation, industry, construction, open burning, and cross-border pollution. She stressed that a new regulation must adopt a comprehensive approach, moving beyond mere pollution control to include air quality protection and management. "Every resident of Jakarta has the right to breathe healthy air," Natalia stated, emphasizing that the revised regulation would serve as a foundation for stronger, data-driven policies focused on public health.

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Every resident of Jakarta has the right to breathe healthy air. The revision of this regulation becomes the foundation for air pollution control policies to be stronger, data-based, and oriented towards protecting public health.

The organization also pointed out that updated regulations are crucial for protecting public health, as air pollution exacerbates various diseases, particularly among vulnerable populations. Furthermore, a more adaptive regulatory framework is seen as essential for supporting Jakarta's ambition to be a global city, as air quality is a key indicator of quality of life and international competitiveness.

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What is more important is ensuring Jakarta has regulations that can protect public health through better emission control, transparent air quality monitoring, and inter-regional coordination.