JAKARTA, Aug 29 (NNN-ANTARA) – Indonesia has geared up to combat air pollution, ahead of the 43rd summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), scheduled in the capital city of Jakarta early next month.
The current severe air pollution in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, one of the most polluted regions of the world, has led to increasing health problems among the public.
There have been increasing cases of acute respiratory infections, since early this year, caused by air pollution, the Health Ministry said, during a press conference yesterday.
Agus Dwi Susanto, who heads the ministry’s respiratory disease control, said that, in 2022, the monthly average number of cases related to acute respiratory infections in Jakarta and its surrounding cities was under 100,000.
“Between Jan and this month, it has shockingly been above 100,000,” he said, adding that, only in Aug, his office recorded some 200,000 cases. Susanto called on the public, who have outdoor activities with a duration of more than eight hours, to always wear anti-pollution masks.
Last week, investigators with the country’s Environment and Forestry Ministry took legal action against people and businesses that contribute to air pollution in the city.
Meanwhile, the Jakarta administration and city police recently dispatched fire trucks, to spray water on major roads across the capital, saying that it would wash away dust and other pollutants that contribute to air pollution.
The city administration has called on government institutions, as well as, private businesses to implement work-at-home scheme particularly during the summit.
Yesterday, Indonesia launched its autonomous light rail transit train, to reduce traffic congestion and pollution in the highly populated capital, Jakarta.– NNN-ANTARA
