Jakarta Moves to Overhaul 20-Year-Old Air Pollution Regulations

The air pollution control regulations in DKI Jakarta, established in 2005, are deemed inadequate for addressing the current complex air pollution issues and are slated for a significant overhaul. The Jakarta provincial government, through its Environmental Agency, has proposed a draft regulation to replace the existing Perda Nomor 2 of 2005 into the 2027 Regional Regulation Formation Program (Propemperda). Currently, the Jakarta Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) is in the process of selecting 15 priority items from 57 proposed discussions, with the revision of this over 20-year-old regulation being one of them. The revision is expected to tackle the increasingly complex challenges of air pollution and strengthen public health protection. Novita Natalia, Co-Founder of Bicara Udara, an air advocacy group, highlighted that air pollution challenges in Jakarta have evolved significantly since 2005, with the identification of new pollutants like PM2.5 impacting public health. "We hope the revision of this Perda becomes a priority for the DPRD," she stated. Natalia pointed out that the sources of air pollution have also diversified, including transportation, industry, construction, open burning of waste, and transboundary pollution. The draft regulation prepared by the provincial government adopts a new approach, expanding its scope from mere pollution control to comprehensive air quality protection and management. "Every Jakarta resident has the right to breathe healthy air. The revision of this Perda will serve as a foundation for stronger, data-driven policies focused on public health protection," Natalia explained. The impact of air pollution directly affects public health, increasing the risk of various diseases, particularly for children, the elderly, and vulnerable groups. Therefore, better emission control, transparent air quality monitoring, and inter-regional coordination are crucial. Furthermore, Bicara Udara believes that updating these regulations is vital for supporting Jakarta's position as a global city. Air quality is a key indicator of public quality of life and a city's competitiveness. Consequently, improving air quality must be an integral part of Jakarta's future development agenda.