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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Energy & Infrastructure

Transportation Policy Analyst: Lawsuit Against KAI is Consumer Right

From Tempo · (39m ago) Indonesian Critical tone

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A transportation policy analyst is suing PT Kereta Api Indonesia (PT KAI) following a train collision at Bekasi Timur station, citing passenger disappointment with the company's service.
  • The lawsuit demands Rp 100 billion in compensation, arguing PT KAI was negligent in handling the emergency and failed to provide adequate passenger safety and information.
  • The analyst criticizes PT KAI's internal procedures and emergency response, highlighting the passengers' self-evacuation as evidence of poor service.

The lawsuit filed against PT Kereta Api Indonesia (PT KAI) by transportation policy analyst Azas Tigor Nainggolan is a significant development, reflecting a growing demand for accountability and better consumer protection within Indonesia's public services. As reported by Tempo, this case goes beyond a simple accident; it's a legal challenge to PT KAI's commitment to passenger safety and service quality, as mandated by Indonesian consumer protection laws.

Di Pasal 4 UU Perlindungan Konsumen itu sudah jelas, konsumen memiliki hak atas kenyamanan, keamanan dan keselamatan.

— Azas Tigor NainggolanCiting the Indonesian Consumer Protection Law to emphasize passengers' rights.

Nainggolan's assertion that the lawsuit is a demand for passengers' rights—specifically their right to comfort, safety, and security as outlined in Law No. 8 of 1999—is crucial. The incident at Bekasi Timur station, where passengers reportedly had to evacuate themselves, starkly illustrates a failure in PT KAI's emergency response protocols. This is not merely an operational lapse but a fundamental breach of trust, suggesting that the company's "good corporate governance" is indeed questionable, as Rolland E Potu, the plaintiff, contends.

Kalau dilihat dari alasan gugatannya, penumpang ini evakuasi secara mandiri, artinya pelayanan PT KAI jelek sekali.

— Azas Tigor NainggolanCritiquing PT KAI's service based on the passengers' self-evacuation.

From an Indonesian perspective, PT KAI is more than just a train operator; it's a state-owned enterprise (BUMN) that carries a significant responsibility to its citizens. When such an entity fails to uphold basic safety and communication standards, especially during emergencies, it erodes public confidence. The demand for Rp 100 billion in compensation is not just about financial restitution; it's a statement that the company's negligence has tangible and severe consequences for its passengers.

Yang saya soroti adalah after kecelakaan.

— Rolland E PotuStating his focus is on the aftermath and handling of the accident, not just the incident itself.

The article rightly points out the lack of timely and transparent information provided to passengers after the accident. Waiting for three hours without clear communication from PT KAI, relying instead on the chaotic environment of the station, is unacceptable. This highlights a systemic issue within the company's communication strategy and crisis management. The lawsuit serves as a critical reminder that passengers are not passive recipients of service but active consumers with rights that must be respected and upheld.

Itu kacau, evakuasi baru sekitar 20 menit, banyak yang teriak-teriak.

— Rolland E PotuDescribing the panic and disarray during the initial evacuation.
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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