Jakarta court finds Jokowi negligent over city's air quality

Judges order president to tighten standards to stem pollution

Activists wearing protective masks sit inside the Central Jakarta Court on Thursday during the hearing of a citizen lawsuit, done in an attempt to sue the government into taking action on Jakarta's air pollution. © Reuters

ERWIDA MAULIA and SHOTARO TANI, Nikkei staff writers

September 16, 2021 16:55 JST

Updated on September 16, 2021 20:58 JST

JAKARTA -- An Indonesian court on Thursday found government figures including President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan to have neglected the air quality in the nation's congested and polluted capital.

The air pollution in Jakarta, where PM2.5 levels are constantly higher than World Health Organization standards, is seen by experts as reducing life expectancy and hurting the nation's economy.