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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Energy & Infrastructure

Ministry of Transportation Awaits KNKT Findings on ALS Bus Accident Cause

From Tempo · (1h ago) Indonesian Critical tone

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Indonesian Ministry of Transportation is awaiting the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) and police investigation results into the ALS bus and fuel tanker collision in North Sumatra.
  • The ALS bus, which had been operating without a valid permit since November 2020, is suspected of severe violations, including document forgery and operating with an expired license.
  • The accident resulted in multiple fatalities, and authorities are working to identify the victims, with 15 antemortem samples collected.

The Ministry of Transportation, through its Directorate General of Land Transportation, is actively awaiting the findings from the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) and the police regarding the tragic collision between an Antar Lintas Sumatera (ALS) bus and a PT Seleraya fuel tanker in Musi Rawas Utara, South Sumatra. Director General Aan Suhanan personally visited the accident site, expressing condolences for the lives lost.

Direktorat Jenderal Perhubungan Darat menunggu hasil investigasi KNKT

— Aan SuhananStating that the Directorate General of Land Transportation is awaiting the KNKT's investigation results.

Initial investigations have revealed alarming details about the ALS bus. It appears the bus had been operating without a valid permit since November 4, 2020, despite its electronic inspection certificate (BLUe) being valid until May 11, 2026. This discrepancy points towards potential severe violations of Ministry of Transportation Regulation No. 15 of 2019, concerning the operation of public transport vehicles. Suspicions include the forgery of travel documents and the operation of a vehicle with an expired permit, alongside negligence that led to the fatal accident.

Kami datang ke lokasi dan mengecek kendaraan yang terlibat. Ditemukenali bus ALS ini tidak memiliki izin sejak 4 November 2020

— Aan SuhananDescribing the on-site inspection and the discovery of the bus's expired permit.

Tempo's reporting highlights the systemic issues that may have contributed to this tragedy. The discovery of discrepancies in the vehicle's chassis number further suggests possible fraudulent practices related to its registration. The Ministry is considering administrative sanctions against the bus operator, ranging from a six to twelve-month suspension of permits to outright revocation, pending further investigation and audits.

Bus ALS tersebut diduga melakukan pelanggaran berat sebagaimana diatur dalam Peraturan Menteri Perhubungan Nomor 15 Tahun 2019 tentang Penyelenggaraan Angkutan Orang dengan Kendaraan Bermotor Umum dalam Trayek Pasal 102.

— Aan SuhananExplaining the potential severe violations of transportation regulations by the ALS bus operator.

The accident underscores the critical importance of regulatory compliance and oversight in Indonesia's transportation sector. The ongoing efforts to identify the 16 deceased victims, including a child, through antemortem samples, reflect the human cost of such incidents. The Ministry's commitment to a thorough investigation and potential sanctions demonstrates a resolve to address these safety concerns and prevent future occurrences.

Terkait pemberian sanksi akan kami telusuri lebih lanjut

— Aan SuhananIndicating that further investigation will be conducted regarding the imposition of sanctions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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