JAKARTA, Dec 15 (Reuters) - The governor of Jakarta received an award on Friday for his work on air quality in the traffic-clogged capital, prompting criticism from pressure groups who argue that the city's overall environmental record is poor. Organisers of the Better Air Quality (BAQ) workshop taking place in the Indonesian city of Yogyakarta cited Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso for his work in helping set up rapid bus lanes.

Cornie Huizenga, head of the BAQ secretariat, said by telephone that although much work remained to be done, the award was justified given that Sutiyoso had pushed through a bus scheme that set a potential model for other Asian cities.

A spokesman for the Indonesian Forum for Environment, a group of non-governmental organisations and community organisations, said the city government had failed in a number of areas including land allocated to green spaces and air quality.

"If we look at a report from the Environmental Impact Agency on the number of days with good air quality in Jakarta per year in 2004 it was 35 days and in 2005 was 20 days. It has decreased," said Farah Sofa, the group's campaign director.

The Transjakarta Busway was launched in February 2004 with one corridor slicing through the sprawling city of 10 million. Two more were added this year and 15 are planned by 2010.

"I want to see blue sky over Jakarta again," Sutioyoso was quoted as saying in a statement issued on the award by BAQ, which is backed by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.

"If other cities can develop sustainable transport, why can't we?"

The Indonesian capital is often shrouded in a yellowy haze, the result of its horrendous traffic and its many backyard fires. Roads are clogged from morning till night with ever more cars, millions of motorcyles and ageing regular buses spewing out foul-smelling exhaust gases.

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