The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Even a portable ashtray will not help if a smoker lights up while walking down Jl. Sudirman or Jl. Thamrin and a public order officer or non-governmental organization activist spies the offender.
As the smoking restriction takes effect this weekend, some 1,000 officers from a city task force will be on the streets checking for smokers and issuing stern warnings.
In addition to all city administration offices, main thoroughfares and the buildings along them will be the first places in the ""Big Smoke"" to be declared smoke-free -- and butt-free.
Governor Sutiyoso reminded building managers Friday to strictly impose the smoking ban.
""Starting tomorrow (Saturday), everyone who does not follow the smoking ban rule will have to face sanctions as stated in the bylaw,"" he said, referring to the 2005 bylaw on air pollution control that includes a partial ban on smoking in public places.
""I have asked the City's Environmental Management Agency and related task force to monitor the implementation of the smoking ban,"" Sutiyoso warned.
The head of the City Public Order Agency, Harianto Badjuri, said the task force would begin checking buildings throughout Jakarta on Monday.
The bylaw states that property management companies must provide smoking rooms and filtering equipment so that people who do not smoke can always get fresh air.
The sanctions that Sutiyoso referred to can be as severe as a six months in prison and a Rp 50 million fine.
Although questions remain as to the readiness of building managers and city officials to enforce the ban, Sutiyoso's administration is determined to improve the quality of air in the capital.
Another key part of the bylaw requires emission tests for public transportation and private vehicles across the city.
Setting an example for the public, the governor got his official car tested yesterday. The result showed 1 ppm (parts per million) in HCl and 0 per cent in Carbon monoxide, thus giving his car ""number one"" status.
Meanwhile, Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani said that the police would support the bylaw, but that legal sanctions would be imposed only after the public had been properly informed as to the contents of the bylaw.
The environmental management agency head, Kosasih Wirahadikusumah, said it would take about one year to inform the public about the bylaw. (05/07)
Bylaw in brief
- Smoking is banned in public spaces, health facilities, offices and education facilities, as well as children's activity areas, religious areas and aboard public transportation. The management of such places must provide a special area for smokers equipped with exhaust fans.
- It is illegal to burn trash in the open.
- Motor vehicles must have their emission and noise levels checked by an authorized workshop at least every six months, and this testing is part of the requirement for car ownership registration.
- Public transportation and City Administration vehicles must all use gasoline, as opposed to diesel fuel (to be regulated in a gubernatorial decree)
- Every person or company must contribute to the development of green open spaces (to be further regulated in a gubernatorial decree)
- To improve the air quality, a motor vehicle-free day will be established in certain areas of the city at least once a month. (to be regulated in a gubernatorial decree)
