Indonesian President tightens sanctions against polluting factories
Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced on August 30 that it could impose strict sanctions, including mandatory closures, on factories that refuse to install pollution control systems.
Mask-wearing commuters wait for the train to arrive at Manggarai Station in Jakarta, Indonesia on August 24. (Photo:Antara)
Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian President Joko Widodoannounced on August 30 that it could impose strict sanctions, including mandatoryclosures, on factories that refuse to install pollution control systems.
The announcement came as the capital city of Jakarta and some bigcities in Indonesia are suffering from serious air pollution, affecting people’shealth.
“Sanctionsare certain and [the industry] could be shut down if they refuse to fix this,if they do not install scrubbers, because the price we pay for our health isvery expensive," Widodo was quoted by local media as saying.
Accordingto the President, in addition to closely monitoring industries as well ascoal-fired power plants, the government also adopts weather modificationtechnology and work-from-home policy to lessen air pollution. Relevant forcesalso keep an eye on exhaust systems from vehicles to assess the level of pollutioncaused by them.
He urged local residents to switch from private transportation to using publictransportation.
Earlier,the Indonesian Ministry of Environment imposed administr꧟ative sanctions on 11polluting companies, some firms engaged in the coal reserve and metallurgyindustries, and others./.
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Mask-wearing commuters wait for the train to arrive at Manggarai Station in Jakarta, Indonesia on August 24. (Photo:Antara) 
