Indonesia: Lawmaker urges faster railway signal integration after deadly crash

A senior Indonesian legislator has called on the Ministry of Transportation to accelerate the integration of railway signaling systems, emphasizing the urgent need for improved safety following a fatal train crash. Lasarus, chairman of Commission V of the House of Representatives, stated during a working meeting with Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi on June 4, 2026, that the integration is a "pressing need."

This demand comes after a collision between the Bromo Anggrek train and a KRL train at Bekasi Station on April 27, 2026, which resulted in 15 passenger deaths. Lasarus expressed his hope for a swift resolution to the signaling system issue. He also proposed that if the ministry proves incapable of managing the system optimally, the authority could be transferred to PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) or KAI.

“

I hope the signaling system integration can be handled quickly, Mr. Minister.

Lasarus highlighted that the Bekasi accident investigation by the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) identified signaling system problems as a key finding. He noted that the current signaling systems are a mix of technologies from different manufacturers, including Japan, China, and domestic producer LEN, which complicates integration efforts. "I received information that the signaling procurement has different technologies," he said.

Furthermore, Lasarus pointed out the lack of a clear separation between the roles of operator and regulator in the railway sector. He suggested consolidating railway operational management under PT KAI to enhance decision-making and operational efficiency. The legislator believes these reforms are crucial for optimizing railway safety and operational performance.

“

I received information that the signaling procurement has different technologies. Some are from Japan, some from China, and some are made by LEN.