President Joko Widodo, or Jokowi, instructed his ministers and governors to deal with increasingly severe air pollution in Jakarta. One of the instructions is to apply the WFH or Work From Home method. The meeting was chaired by President Jokowi at the Merdeka Palace, Central Jakarta, on Monday, 14th of August, 2023.
In his opening speech, President Joko Widodo explained that air quality in DKI Jakarta was at 156, which was an unhealthy statement. According to President Jokowi, this was caused by the long dry season on the past three months, transportation emissions, and industrial activities in Jabodetabek, especially those that use coal in the manufacturing industry sector.
“I have several notes that need to be brought to the attention of all relevant ministries and institutions. The first is a short-term solution that must be intervened as soon as possible, which can improve air quality in Greater Jakarta,” said President Jokowi on Monday, 14th of August 2023.
President Jokowi then asked for weather engineering to attract rain in the Jabodetabek area and implement regulations to accelerate the implementation of emission limits, especially in Jabodetabek.
“Of course, this attempt requires a budget, we have prepared a budget, and if needed, we must have the courage to encourage many offices to implement a hybrid working system or maybe even work from home. I don’t know what the details will be, from the agreement at this limited meeting, whether there will be 75 percent (WFH) and 25 percent (WFO) or is there another percentage figure suggestion for the distribution of this possible WFH scheme,” said Jokowi.
For a medium-term solution, Jokowi asked his ministers to consistently implement policies to reduce the use of fossil-based vehicles and immediately switch to mass transportation. He gave an example of the LRT and the Jakarta-Bandung Fast Train, which will soon operate for the public, and the use of this public transportation must be promoted.
Finally, President Jokowi requested that there be strengthening of mitigation of climate change. He asked for supervision in the industrial sector and power plants, especially around Jabodetabek. President Jokowi also requested that the public should be given more education about air pollution so that awareness can be built together.
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