Jakarta. More than 6 million Jakarta residents have been affected by acute respiratory infections linked to worsening air pollution in the capital, according to Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq on Wednesday.

Hanif said the air quality index in parts of Jakarta, especially in the northern districts, reached hazardous levels by midday on Wednesday. Data from air quality monitoring apps such as IQAir, as well as public monitoring boards, showed dangerously high pollution levels that pose immediate health risks.

“The main sources of Jakarta’s air pollution are industrial emissions and container trucks,” Hanif said during a press conference in Jakarta.

He noted that there are around 6,800 registered industrial chimneys in Jakarta and its surrounding areas, though the actual number could be even higher due to unregistered facilities.

“We’ve begun cracking down on open burning activities, especially in metallurgy and ore smelting industries,” Hanif said.

The minister noted that the real impact of the pollution crisis is reflected in the soaring number of respiratory infection cases across the city. Preliminary health data suggest that more than 6 million Jakarta residents have experienced respiratory issues as a result of polluted air.

“This will be confirmed by the Health Office. But initial data shows over 6 million people exposed to acute respiratory infections, which could worsen existing health conditions,” Hanif added.

Indonesia’s national health insurance provider, BPJS Kesehatan, has already spent more than Rp 16 billion to cover treatment costs for air pollution-related respiratory illnesses.

“And that figure is just from BPJS claims. Not everyone is covered by BPJS, so the real number could be much higher,” Hanif said.

He stressed that the government will take firm and systematic action to address the air quality crisis, including enforcement against polluters, revising industrial permits, and tightening emissions regulations for heavy vehicles.