Private vehicles in Jakarta must pass an exhaust emissions test and receive a certification sticker next year, or risk the owners getting fined.

Budirama Natakusumah, head of the city's Environment Management Board (BPLHD), said Monday the board was making all the necessary preparations to implement a bylaw on air pollution and quality control next year, but added no date had been set for it.

The bylaw stipulates owners of vehicles without emissions test stickers will be fined a maximum of Rp 2 million (US$180). However, Budirama said the law would initially be limited to private vehicle owners.

"In the long run, the bylaw will be applicable to owners of all kinds of vehicles. We implement it step by step," he told The Jakarta Post.

"Currently, we are still coordinating with both the transportation agency and the police to prepare the necessary technical aspects of the bylaw, such as increasing the number of referral emissions test workshops and mechanics."

There are currently 238 such workshops, with 568 mechanics.

Vehicle owners welcomed the move, but demanded a fixed deadline and time frame to get their vehicles ready.

Hartono, a car-rental operator, said his company would need at least a week, to get all its 30 cars checked.

"Because of the holiday season, most of our cars are out. For the cars being used in the city, it's still possible to get the tests done if we work on schedule. But for the cars that are out of town, it's more difficult," he said, adding he was certain all his cars would pass the test.

Car owner Anisa Basuki said the government should allow vehicle owners a grace period of at least three months before enforcing the bylaw.

Meri Dianti, a motorcycle user, said she wanted the government to put more announcements in the media to remind people about the deadline.

"They should remind people a few more times before starting to fine people. I read a lot of news but I haven't heard anything yet about a deadline," she said.

The administration was also urged to provide the public with easier access to test workshops.

Hartono suggested checks in public places such as parking lots and malls, as had been done before, should be increased.

"It is rather inconvenient to take the cars to a garage for the test. But if it's done in a car park, for instance, people can do the check in between doing other things. That's a better way of reaching out to people," he said.

Both Hartono and Anisa believed the maximum fine was too harsh and almost impossible to implement.

"People may choose to settle on the spot with the police officers, as often happens now, because it's too inconvenient to go to court. I'm afraid this (new bylaw) will become just another excuse for extorting money," Hartono said.

Anisa questioned what would happen to cars that failed the test, despite efforts to fix them.

"Some cars will never pass the test. What will happen to them?" Anisa said. (hdt)

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