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Jakarta Post

Associations confused over mandatory emission test

Automotive associations said Tuesday they were not informed about a plan to begin enforcing mandatory car emmission tests in November

The Jakarta Post
Jakarta
Thu, October 22, 2009

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Associations confused over mandatory emission test

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utomotive associations said Tuesday they were not informed about a plan to begin enforcing mandatory car emmission tests in November.

"The Jakarta Environmental Management Agency *BPLHD* has repeatedly told us that they would enforce emission testing but never told us the finer details," said the Association of Indonesian Automotive Manufacturers (Gaikindo) secretary-general, Freddy Sutrisno.

He criticized the agency for not doing enough to inform drivers and garages certified to hold car emissions tests about the November deadline.

He said only 17 out of 238 certified car workshops had ordered emissions test stickers, indicating that most do not know about the deadline.

The BPLHD had announced that public and private cars which did not pass emissions tests before November would be ticketed by traffic police.

Chairman of the Association of Auto Repair Shop Owners (Asbekindo) A. Yayat Ruhiyat said that he learned about the November deadline only through the media.

"The BPLHD has never given a formal deadline to Asbekindo," he said.

Asbekindo had not made an announcement regarding the November deadline to members who own certified garages.

Freddy and Yayat said both associations fully supported enforcement of emissions tests.

"However, the BPLHD must first give sufficient information regarding the enforcement to the public. Drivers ticketed without even knowing about the policy will be shocked," said Freddy.

One driver, Risca, said that she did not know about the enforcement.

"I did not know about the November deadline but I believe enforcing the tests is a good idea," she said.

Ridwan Panjaitan, head of the BPLHD's law enforcement unit, said that the agency had made known the deadline to the automotive associations, the Organization of Land Transportation Owners (Organda), and the public through the media.

Ridwan conceded the BPLHD had not set the exact time to start the enforcement.

"It will certainly be in November, but the BPLHD has not decided on a date. It is still holding meetings to decide the exact date and mechanism," he said.

He added that three-wheeled public transportation such as bemo and bajaj would also be enforced to meet emission standards.

"Motorcycle owners will not be ticketed for the time being, as certified garages for motorcycle testing are not yet available," he said.

Ridwan said most certified garages that had not ordered stickers were waiting for the emission test enforcement to begin.

"I believe that when the enforcement gets started, the garages will order the stickers," he said. Organda head Herry Rotty said that his organization had been informed about the November deadline.

"Many public buses have passed the emissions tests and others will soon follow," he said.

Herry was not worried about the deadline since emissions testing is already a part of the vehicle roadworthiness test (KIR).

Media reports said the tests can easily be manipulated, which explains why there are so many polluting public vehicles in Jakarta. (mrs)

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