KAI directors step down over Brebes train crash<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The board of directors of state-owned railway company PT Kereta
\nApi Indonesia (KAI) resigned en masse on Friday, but the
\nIndonesian Consumers' Foundation (YLKI) slammed the move as an
\nattempt to evade responsibility for numerous train accidents over
\nthe past few months.<\/p>\n
YLKI also plans to launch a class action against PT KAI aimed
\nat securing compensation for potential losses suffered by the
\nfamilies of those injured or killed in recent accidents.<\/p>\n
\"All of us have decided to resign as we accept moral
\nresponsibility for the recent events,\" KAI President Director
\nBadar Zaini said after a meeting with Minister of Transportation
\nAgum Gumelar and State Minister of State-Owned Enterprises
\nLaksamana Sukardi in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
An economy-class train Empu Jaya from Jakarta collided head-on
\nwith the Jakarta-bound Gaya Baru Malam, which was stopped on the
\nsame track at Ketanggungan station in Brebes, Central Java,
\nkilling at least 30 passengers and injuring dozens of others on
\nTuesday.<\/p>\n
The driver of Empu Jaya, Muhammad To'at, who is being treated
\nat a hospital in Brebes, has been declared a suspect.<\/p>\n
Asked to comment on the resignation of KAI's board of
\ndirectors, Laksamana replied: \"I am personally touched by their
\nwillingness to open a new door to a better environment. I deeply
\nappreciate that.\"<\/p>\n
Laksamana said the company would be audited by independent
\nauditors in relation to operational, financial and safety issues.<\/p>\n
Such an audit would be the first conducted by outsiders since
\nKAI's establishment, as previous audits have been undertaken by
\nthe company's internal auditor and the results have not been made
\npublic.<\/p>\n
Laksamana also said a team would be set up to conduct a series
\nof tests, including a fit-and-proper assessment, for all
\nprospective employees.<\/p>\n
Separately, Vice President Hamzah Haz hailed the resignations,
\nsaying they could serve as a new paradigm and example for those
\nwho failed to live up to expectations.<\/p>\n
\"Although their resignations do not necessarily prove that
\nthey are guilty, it should serve as a new model of accountability
\nthat other state companies should follow,\" he said without
\nelaborating.<\/p>\n
YLKI, however, suspected the resignations were merely an
\nattempt to elude accountability over the numerous recent
\naccidents.<\/p>\n
\"The resignations were engineered. If they were a form of
\npublic accountability why didn't they resign straight away after
\nthe crash?,\" YLKI chairwoman Indah Suksmaningsih asked.<\/p>\n
YLKI is also planning to file a class action lawsuit against
\nPT KAI to demand the inclusion of compensation for the potential
\nlosses suffered by the injured and the families of those killed
\nin recent accidents.<\/p>\n
\"Neither the resignations nor the payment of compensation
\nalters the PT KAI directors' legal accountability in relation to
\nconsumer services and protection,\" YLKI Executive for Legal
\nAffairs Sudarjatmo said, as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
He suspected that sabotage was involved in Tuesday's accident,
\ngiven To'at's statement that he had reduced speed and applied the
\nbrakes to prevent a collision. To'at is currently being treated
\nin intensive care in a Brebes hospital.<\/p>\n
\"It's funny that he was named a suspect because he has not yet
\nbeen questioned by the police,\" Sumaryoto said, adding that To'at
\nwould be moved to Pertamina Hospital on Saturday so that he could
\nreceive better treatment.<\/p>\n
Sumaryoto said Agum and State Minister for State Enterprises
\nLaksamana Sukardi were responsible for improving PT KAI's
\nmanagement.<\/p>\n
YLKI said that the compensation set by PT KAI and insurance
\nfirm PT Jasa Raharja, which comprises Rp 16 million (about
\nUS$1,500) in compensation for each victim's family and three-year
\nscholarships for two of the victims' relatives, was not adequate.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kai-directors-step-down-over-brebes-train-crash-1447893297",
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