JAKARTA: An Indonesian court ordered on Thursday President Joko Widodo and other senior government officials to improve the hazardous air quality of the capital Jakarta after finding them guilty of environmental negligence in a civil lawsuit.
The citizen lawsuit was filed in 2019 against the president, the ministers of health, environment and home affairs, as well as other prominent local leaders.
The 32 plaintiffs said the lawsuit was a last-ditch attempt to compel authorities to take action against severe air pollution in the bustling metropolis of Jakarta and its surrounds, an area home to more than 30 million people.
In its verdict, judges at the Central Jakarta District Court said the actions of the defendants had contravened the law.
The ruling obliges the president to establish national air quality standards to protect human health, and the health minister and Jakarta governor to devise strategies to control air pollution.
"The defendants were found to be negligent at controlling air pollution. We appreciate the verdict, and we are satisfied," Ayu Eza Tiara, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs told Reuters.
The court also ordered the defendants to take other measures, including an analysis of cross border emissions, and for older vehicles to be periodically tested for emissions.
Presidential spokesman Fadjroel Rahman said decisions regarding any further action would fall on the environment minister.
In a message on Twitter, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said his administration would not appeal and was ready to implement the ruling to achieve cleaner air in the capital.
The environment ministry, the home affairs ministry, and the health ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Rapid urbanisation and chronic traffic in Jakarta, along with nearby coal-fired power plants, have contributed to the poor air quality, according to the Center on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).
In the trial, the plaintiffs argued that authorities had been negligent by failing to protect citizens, pointing to scientific research that air pollution could cause conditions such as asthma, heart disease and lower life expectancy.
IQAir's World Air Quality report for 2020 said Jakarta was the ninth-worst capital city globally in terms of levels of PM.2.5, or fine particulate matter, an air pollutant that can be dangerous to human health in high levels.
Delhi and Dhaka topped the global ranking, but the index showed that Jakarta was the worst in Southeast Asia.
Reuters
Thu Sep 16 2021
![Indonesia court finds president negligent in air pollution lawsuit Indonesia court finds president negligent in air pollution lawsuit](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-09/81631787119_jakarta.jpg)
Plants are seen on a rooftop as smog covers Jakarta, Indonesia, June 24, 2021. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp
Jawatankuasa Kira-kira Wang Negara (PAC) memberi tempoh tiga bulan kepada Perbadanan Pembangunan Sumber Manusia (HRD Corp) untuk mengemukakan laporan tindakan susulan terhadap syor jawatankuasa itu.
Kylian Mbappe tandatangan kontrak dengan Real Madrid
Bintang bola sepak Perancis Kylian Mbappe menandatangani kontrak selama lima tahun dengan kelab Sepanyol Real Madrid pada Selasa.
Pelepasan ketujuh air sisa nuklear Fukushima ke laut selesai
Jepun telah menyelesaikan pusingan ketujuh pelepasan air sisa radioaktif yang dirawat dari loji kuasa nuklear Fukushima Daiichi ke Lautan Pasifik pada Selasa.
Empat termasuk kapten maut dalam pertempuran
Empat anggota tentera India termasuk kapten meninggal dunia akibat kecederaan selepas pertempuuran pada malam isnin di Hutan Desa.
Pakistan sahkan 4 warganya terbunuh di Oman
Pakistan berkata pada Selasa empat warganya terbunuh dalam insiden tembakan pada malam Isnin berhampiran ibu negara Oman, Muscat.
Lima terbunuh, puluhan cedera dalam protes antikuota di Bangladesh
Sekurang-kurangnya empat orang terbunuh dan puluhan lagi cedera dalam pertempuran antara pelajar yang memprotes sistem kuota dalam pekerjaan sektor awam dan polis di pelbagai bahagian Bangladesh pada Selasa.
Kerajaan cadang perkenal pembiayaan swasta
Kerajaan menyasarkan untuk memperkenalkan pembiayaan swasta alternatif bagi memastikan kemampanan kewangan program sektor air, sekali gus mengurangkan kebergantungan pada perbelanjaan kerajaan dan mengukuhkan daya tahan.
Saya tak fitnah Guan Eng, cuma jelaskan siasatan SPRM - Muhyiddin
Presiden Bersatu Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin memberitahu Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur hari ini bahawa beliau tidak memfitnah Lim Guan Eng berhubung isu pengecualian cukai terhadap Yayasan Albukhary
KPT alu-alukan dapatan, cadangan PAC - Zambry
Ini termasuklah cadangan pelaksanaan Garis Panduan Pelaburan dan Pembiayaan oleh Universiti Awam 2024 kepada anak-anak syarikat di bawah seliaan Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi (KPT).
![Malaysia, Singapore to resume discussions on high-speed rail project soon - Azmin Malaysia, Singapore to resume discussions on high-speed rail project soon - Azmin](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-04/61587091050_AzminAli.jpg)
Malaysia, Singapore to resume discussions on high-speed rail project soon - Azmin
Azmin said, the discussions would encompass some of the proposed changes in the commercial and technical aspects of the project.
![Extend the MCO until after Aidilfitri - AMM Extend the MCO until after Aidilfitri - AMM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2020-04/41586412231_950x600.jpg)
Extend the MCO until after Aidilfitri - AMM
The AMM understood the people's desire to spend time with relatives during the Raya holidays but in the face of this outbreak, social distancing had to continue until a new vaccine was discovered.
![Industri pertahanan bakal pacu ekonomi negara - Mohamad Sabu Industri pertahanan bakal pacu ekonomi negara - Mohamad Sabu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-10/71571578235_MohamadSabu.jpg)
Industri pertahanan bakal pacu ekonomi negara - Mohamad Sabu
Kertas Putih Pertahanan dijangka dibentangkan di Dewan Rakyat pada November atau awal Disember ini selepas mendapat persetujuan Kabinet.
![Do postponements cause delays in the Courts? Do postponements cause delays in the Courts?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2019-02/61550614637_IstanaKehakiman.jpg)
Do postponements cause delays in the Courts?
Cases may often be postponed or otherwise delayed for various reasons. The truth of the matter is that these delays may be necessary due to the Rule of law and due process.
![Tiada perubahan drastik dijangka dari PRU Thailand - Penganalisis Tiada perubahan drastik dijangka dari PRU Thailand - Penganalisis](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-03/61551435650_BENDERATHAI.jpg)
Tiada perubahan drastik dijangka dari PRU Thailand - Penganalisis
Perjalanan proses itu hanyalah bagi memberi lebih legitimasi kepada kerajaan sedia ada yang dikuasai junta tentera ketika ini.
![[OPINION] Opportunity from chaos [OPINION] Opportunity from chaos](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2017-12/61512547365_shopping.jpg)
[OPINION] Opportunity from chaos
The biggest clandestine threat is the evaporation of the middle class across the developed world.
![Here are the three considerations we had when we did the Budget - Tony Pua Here are the three considerations we had when we did the Budget - Tony Pua](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-11/61541753047_AMBANK.jpg)
Here are the three considerations we had when we did the Budget - Tony Pua
Damansara MP Tony Pua explained the three major considerations on what went into the development and execution of Budget 2019.
!['Kalau nak berkumpul, jangan la dalam bangunan' - Dr Maszlee 'Kalau nak berkumpul, jangan la dalam bangunan' - Dr Maszlee](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-09/41536373665_LetakJawatan.jpg)
'Kalau nak berkumpul, jangan la dalam bangunan' - Dr Maszlee
Bantahan mereka ini adalah susulan daripada pelantikan Dr Maszlee sebagai Presiden Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIAM).
![Climate change in Malaysia and what it means for us Climate change in Malaysia and what it means for us](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-03/81521630303_ClimateChange.jpg)
Climate change in Malaysia and what it means for us
The worlds climate is changing for the worse, and humans are responsible for that. Lets dive into a touch of science to make sense of this.
![Major quake cuts communications, halts oil and gas operations in Papua New Guinea Major quake cuts communications, halts oil and gas operations in Papua New Guinea](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-02/41519663631_earthquake.jpg)
Major quake cuts communications, halts oil and gas operations in Papua New Guinea
At least one company began evacuating non-essential personnel after a powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit Papua New Guinea's energy-rich interior on Monday.