Sumatra Bus Involved in Fatal Crash Lacked Operational Permit

The recent fatal accident involving an ALS bus on the Trans-Sumatra Highway has once again highlighted critical issues within Indonesia's public transportation sector. The Ministry of Transportation's findings that the bus lacked an operational permit since 2020, coupled with evidence of potential document forgery, paints a grim picture of regulatory oversight and corporate responsibility.

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Kami datang ke lokasi dan mengecek kendaraan yang terlibat, ditemukenali bus ALS ini tidak memiliki izin sejak 4 November 2020. Sementara data Bukti Lulus Uji Elektronik (BLUe) masih berlaku hingga 11 Mei 2026

This incident, which claimed 16 lives and injured four others, is not merely a tragic accident but a stark reminder of the systemic problems that plague our roads. The fact that a bus operating without a valid permit could continue to ferry passengers underscores a failure in enforcement and monitoring mechanisms. The discrepancies in the vehicle's chassis and police number further suggest a deeper rot, potentially involving fraudulent practices that put public safety at grave risk.

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memalsukan dokumen perjalanan yang sah, mengoperasikan kendaraan yang telah habis masa berlaku izin penyelenggaraannya, serta melakukan kelalaian pengoperasian kendaraan sehingga menimbulkan kecelakaan yang mengakibatkan korban jiwa.

From our perspective at Tempo, this event demands more than just a procedural investigation. It calls for a thorough audit of PT Antar Lintas Sumatera and a broader review of the administrative processes governing public transportation companies across the archipelago. While the National Transportation Safety Committee and the police will undoubtedly conduct their investigations, it is crucial that the findings lead to tangible reforms. The safety of our citizens must be paramount, and any entity found to be compromising it through negligence or deliberate malfeasance should face the strictest penalties. This tragedy should serve as a catalyst for change, ensuring that such preventable loss of life does not become a recurring narrative on Indonesian roads.

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Tetapi semua temuan lapangan ini akan diselidiki dengan melakukan audit inspeksi terhadap perusahaan.