Decylia Eghline, Jakarta – Environmental activists assert that air pollution in Jakarta and its surrounding areas has entered a chronic phase. They highlight that for the past decade, Jakarta's air quality has consistently been categorized as unhealthy, with an annual PM2.5 concentration reaching 46.1 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m3). This figure is more than three times the national safety limit.
Activists consider this situation an emergency. "Air pollution in Jakarta has entered the unhealthy category for the past ten years, and this can no longer be considered normal," stated Amalia S. Bendang, Coordinator of the Aliansi Udara Bersih (Clean Air Alliance) and Jaringan Rebut Kembali Langit Biru, to Tempo on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
She referred to data from the Environmental Laboratory of the Jakarta Environmental Agency (DLH), which recorded an average annual PM2.5 pollutant concentration of 46.1 ug/m3. This is three times higher than the national ambient air quality standard of 15 ug/m3. According to Amalia, this reflects a chronic air crisis that the government has not seriously addressed.
PM2.5 refers to airborne particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less. Due to their minute size, these particles can be absorbed into the bloodstream when inhaled, leading to various health issues, including asthma attacks and lung tissue damage.
Amalia further emphasized the chronic nature of the pollution, citing not only recent DLH data but also a UNEP report from 1992. "The report listed Jakarta as the third most polluted city in the world after Mexico City and Bangkok. Unfortunately, until today, our air quality has worsened, and there has been no significant change in controlling its sources of pollution," she lamented.
Clean air as a basic right
Meanwhile, Saibatullah Kadir from the Committee for the Elimination of Lead in Gasoline (KPBB) characterized the clean air crisis as a social issue. "Clean air is the most basic right of every human being. However, with the air quality in Jakarta often exceeding even five times the WHO standard, it seems as if it is normal for us to be nominated as the most polluted capital in the world," Saibatullah told Tempo on Monday, July 7, 2025.
He pointed to the distribution of high-sulfur gasoline as a root cause of the problem. "Gasoline with a sulfur content of 500 ppm and diesel up to 3500 ppm are still used. However, the current vehicle technology requires gasoline with a maximum of 50 ppm according to Euro 4-6 standards," Saibatullah explained.
Saibatullah also highlighted the surge in the number of vehicles in Jakarta, which has increased by 5.27 times since 2005. "More than 70 percent of the vehicles in Jakarta are outdated and do not meet emission gas standards," he added.
He believes that improving air quality cannot be achieved through partial measures. "The dispersion of pollution is difficult to control, but its usage can be controlled. Establishing strict production and distribution standards for gasoline is a concrete step that can be taken now," he asserted.
Public health impacts
The constant exposure to air pollution has led to serious public health impacts. Saibatullah cited 2022 data, stating, "Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) in Jakarta have reached 2.7 million cases. Asthma 1.4 million. Pneumonia 373,000. Bronchopneumonia 214,000. Nasopharyngeal cancer 20,000 cases, with 13,000 deaths."
He added that air pollution has also contributed to an increase in cases of ischemic heart disease, kidney failure, hypertension, and tremors, creating a serious health burden on the public.
The IQAir air quality monitoring website recorded a particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration in Jakarta on July 3, 2025, reaching 70.7 ug/m3. This amount far exceeded the WHO's annual average healthy air recommendation of 5 ug/m3.
According to a 2020 research report from the Jakarta Environmental Agency (DLH) in collaboration with Vital Strategies, several main sources contribute to the increased PM2.5 content in large cities like Jakarta, including coal combustion, open burning, and vehicle exhaust fumes.
– Sultan Abdurrahman contributed to the report.