The Unshakable Stance of Anies Baswedan Clean Air is a Human Right
WHEN the United Nations declared worsening air quality in major cities, with some even ranking as the worst globally, all eyes turned to Anies Baswedan, who had just concluded his term in October 2022. Anies didn’t mince words nor point fingers. Instead, he named the elephant in the room: the Central Government’s policy of surrounding Jakarta with coal-fired power plants, including new ones.
Two years ago, Anies Baswedan stood undeniably clear when a court ruling held both the DKI Jakarta provincial government and the Central Government accountable for air quality. The then-governor boldly stated, “Clean air is a fundamental human right protected under the 1945 Constitution.”
He even applauded the lawsuit brought by citizens from Jakarta, West Java, and Banten in 2019.
He has not only talked the talk but also walked the walk. Even before the court’s ruling, the Jakarta administration had issued Governor’s Instruction No. 66/2019 on Air Quality Control. Anies initiated “7 Initiatives for Clean Air” aimed at tackling air pollution in Jakarta.
“This is not only a massive task but a collaborative one. Air pollution and climate change are urgent global issues,” Anies stated.
He urges Jakarta residents to opt for public transportation, low-emission vehicles, and even emission-free modes like bicycles. “Let’s reduce our carbon footprint collectively. The government is responsible, but it’s also a joint effort,” he added.
This is not merely about the air we breathe today, but also about a better environment for our children and their children, he emphasized.
Anies took his climate concerns to an international platform, suggesting comprehensive measures to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres. The UN fully endorsed his proposals, reaffirming the need for global-local collaboration in climate actions.
So while the new government points accusatory fingers at vehicle exhausts in a fit of panic, let’s not forget the underlying issue Anies so candidly addressed. Jakarta’s air quality crisis isn’t just a local governance hiccup; it is primarily a result of short-sighted policies at the Central Government level that allow coal plants to spew pollution unchecked.
It’s time to look beyond convenient scapegoats. For it is not just the Jakarta administration that needs to answer for our grim air quality but also the Central Government that approved power plants which pollute the air we all breathe.
Anies had the courage to point this out; will the current administration have the same courage?
* Board of Editors, KBA News
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English Edition, Anies Baswedan, Central Government, Clean Air, Human Right, Jakarta's governor, The Unshakable Stance
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