JAKARTA: Indonesia’s capital Jakarta has been tagged as the world’s most polluted city, which has been consistently ranked among the 10 most polluted cities worldwide since May.
The feature has been consistently endorsed by data from Swiss air quality technology company IQAir, which has highlighted Jakarta’s grim status among the world’s polluted urban centres since May. On August 9, Jakarta once again, took the disheartening lead as the world’s most polluted city, raising urgent questions about the city’s air quality management and its impact on its more than 10 million residents.
According to IQAir’s data, Jakarta’s population faces alarmingly unhealthy air pollution levels on an almost daily basis. This disconcerting reality has prompted concerns among both residents and experts. Rizky Putra, a 35-year-old resident, shared his worry about the health risks posed to his children due to the deteriorating air quality. “I think the situation is very worrying,” Rizky expressed during an interview with Reuters TV conducted by a road in downtown Jakarta. He pointed out the distressing prevalence of similar complaints and symptoms, such as persistent coughs and colds, among the city’s children.
The roots of Jakarta’s air pollution crisis are multifaceted, involving a combination of chronic traffic congestion, industrial emissions, and emissions from coal-fired power plants. As residents grapple with the consequences of toxic air, efforts to address the issue have taken different forms. In 2021, some Jakarta residents took their concerns to court, resulting in a significant legal victory. The court’s ruling mandated President Joko Widodo to establish national air quality standards that prioritize human health. Furthermore, the health minister and the governor of Jakarta were directed to devise effective strategies for controlling air pollution.
However, despite these judicial interventions, Jakarta’s air quality has continued to degrade. Nathan Roestandy, co-founder of the air quality app Nafas Indonesia, emphasized the far-reaching implications of persistent pollution. we take more than 20,000 breaths a day. If we take in polluted air every day, (it could lead to) respiratory and pulmonary diseases, even asthma. It can affect the cognitive development of children or even mental health, Roestandy cautioned.
The gravity of the situation prompted inquiries about potential solutions. On the matter, President Widodo responded on Tuesday by proposing an ambitious strategy: relocating the country’s capital city from Jakarta to Nusantara, a city under construction on Borneo island. President Widodo’s intention is to alleviate the pressure on Jakarta and give the city a fresh start in a more environmentally conscious urban centre. Indonesia’s government plans to officially name Nusantara as the new capital next year, with over 16,000 civil servants, military personnel, and police set to relocate.
