Jakarta air quality reaches unhealthy levels amid new regulation plans

Jakarta is experiencing unhealthy air quality levels, with PM2.5 concentrations recorded significantly above World Health Organization guidelines. Recent data from IQAir indicates the city has faced unhealthy air conditions, with pollution levels reaching up to 11.9 times the annual recommended limit. Health experts recommend that residents wear masks, avoid outdoor activities, and use air purifiers to mitigate risks associated with long-term exposure.

In response to the ongoing pollution crisis, the Jakarta Regional House of Representatives (DPRD DKI Jakarta) has included a Draft Regional Regulation (Raperda) on Air Pollution Control in its 2027 legislative program. This draft aims to replace the outdated 2005 regulation. Advocacy groups, such as Bicara Udara, have pushed for this update, noting that modern pollution sources—including industrial activity, construction, and transboundary pollutants carried by wind—require more complex regulatory frameworks than those established two decades ago.