J

akarta'€™s Car Free Day (CFD) has developed into a massive weekly event every Sunday where huge numbers of people from Jakarta and its surrounding areas pour into the main thoroughfares '€” Jl. MH Thamrin and Jl. Sudirman '€” to enjoy healthy activities like biking, jogging, dancing and other exercises.

The CFD, launched by then governor Sutiyoso 10 years ago in a bid to reduce air pollution, is one of the few successful efforts to provide residents with more space for outdoor activities. It is particularly important for Jakarta, where green and open spaces cover less than 10 percent of the 650 square kilometers of its territory, instead of 30 percent as required by the 2007 Spatial Planning Law.

Unsurprisingly, the weekly event draws various interest groups, including politicians, commercial interests, labor activists and anyone seeking to voice their valid opinions to the gathered crowds. Many visitors have started to complain about the increasing competition for space during the CFD.

They have started to become annoyed by such activities, which have derailed the original objective of the CFD with blaring loudspeakers producing unwelcome noise pollution.

Governor Basuki '€œAhok'€ Tjahaja Purnama has said that his administration has discussed such complaints. He agrees that the CFD has strayed from its original objective. '€œIt would be better if the CFD was free from political activities. I personally agree with this notion; the CFD should not be used for politics,'€ Ahok said '€” though he and President Joko '€œJokowi'€ Widodo previously benefited from crowds expressing support for them on a Sunday or two at the CFD.

The Jakarta CFD was first introduced in 2002. The event has been official and mandatory since 2005 when it was stipulated in the bylaw on air pollution control, which required each of Jakarta'€™s five municipalities to hold their own car-free days at least once a month. Many administrations in other cities across the country have been inspired by Jakarta'€™s success in organizing the CFD.

We agree that the CFD should return to its original objective, to provide space and time and to cut air pollution. Those enjoying the CFD always notice the cleaner air as a result of the absence of cars and motorcycles. The ultimate aim of providing a healthy opportunity and a bit of leisure time for individuals and families should not be disrupted by noise pollution and, sometimes, tension between opposing interest groups in the CFD area. Therefore activities that are potentially divisive should be banned during the CFD, though the administration should also seek a separate open space for anyone to air their opinions '€” like Speaker'€™s Corner in London'€™s Hyde Park.

Perhaps, the administration could issue permits, although very selectively, for commercial activities in the CFD area as long as loudspeakers are not used.

The CFD has become a better and healthier alternative for Jakarta residents to spend their weekends.

Therefore, the city administration has to eliminate any factors that may prevent people from taking part in and enjoying such an event.