Zacharias Wuragil, Jakarta – The Jakarta Department of Environment urges the public to monitor Jakarta's air quality and understand the necessary precautions based on official data before engaging in outdoor activities. The department refers to data from its network of 111 Air Quality Monitoring Stations (SPKU) currently spread across Jakarta, which can be accessed in real-time through the Jakarta Kini (JAKI) application and the udara.jakarta.go.id website.
The appeal is in response to the air quality data on the IQAir platform, indicating that Jakarta's air was unhealthy, particularly on Wednesday morning, July 16, 2025. The parameters used were fine particulate matter or PM2.5. That morning, several air quality monitoring devices in Central, East, and North Jakarta, within the platform's network, even showed readings categorized as very unhealthy air quality.
For comparison, many of the Department of Environment's SPKUs indicated unhealthy air quality at the same time. But only one pointed to very unhealthy air quality, located at the RPTRA Tipar Asri, Cilincing, North Jakarta. However, at this location, the PM2.5 air pollution level even reached the hazardous category.
According to Asep Kuswanto, the Head of the Jakarta Department of Environment, the air quality information presented through JAKI and udara.jakarta.go.id uses the Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU) in accordance with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. 14 of 2020. He also mentioned that the features in the available platform have been standardized, comprehensive, and easy to understand.
"With valid and accurate official data, this platform can be the main guide for the public in making decisions when engaging in outdoor activities," said Asep in a written statement received by Tempo on Monday, July 21, 2025.
Ririn Radiawati Kusuma, the Director of Indonesia for Clean Air Asia, emphasized that each country has different air quality standards, adjusted to their respective local characteristics. For example, the air quality index differs between China and the United States, as well as between China and Indonesia.
"This index is usually accompanied by relevant outdoor activity recommendations based on the public health conditions in that area," she said in the same written statement.
Ririn expressed her appreciation for the initiatives of various institutions that installed air quality monitoring sensors, particularly those measuring PM2.5, as a way to raise public awareness of air quality issues. However, she also advised the public to refer to the official data from the local government.
"Most sensors on international platforms like IQAir are installed by individuals, and the maintenance system and validation are not necessarily known," she said.
Hence, in addition to paying attention to data from private or individual sources, Residents of Jakarta are also advised to compare it with official government data. "Above all, this information is a valuable resource that helps the public safely engage in daily activities," Ririn stated.