AHY on KRL Carriage Position: Men and Women Are Equal, Neither Should Become Victims

Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono stated that men and women should equally not become victims in any incident. “This is indeed the first time a collision has occurred where a long-distance train hit a KRL from behind. Coincidentally, the rearmost carriage was the women’s special carriage. There is certainly concern about why the most vulnerable group, for whom we have specially prepared the carriage, ended up facing the highest risk,” AHY told reporters after visiting victims at Bekasi City Hospital on Tuesday (28/4/2026). “This is also something we will continue to evaluate, but clearly, men and women are the same; neither should become victims in any incident,” he added. He said the issue is not about men and women. He stated that the government is focusing on improving the system to prevent similar accidents from recurring. “So, what we are focusing on is not women and men, but how to make the train transportation system and other public transportation systems safe, secure, providing a sense of safety and comfort, and ensuring that ‘safety first’ is not just a slogan but truly implemented well,” he said. AHY stated that the KNKT will conduct a thorough investigation. He said the cause of the accident must be explained openly to the public. “The KNKT has agreed to conduct a comprehensive investigation. I request transparency and openness, so it can be explained to the public. Because this also involves education,” he said. Previously, Minister for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) Arifah Fauzi proposed placing the women’s KRL carriage in the middle of the train. The proposal stems from the fatal collision between the Argo Bromo train and the KRL at Bekasi Timur Station. “But with this incident, we propose that, if possible, the women’s carriage be placed in the middle,” Arifah told reporters after visiting victims at Bekasi City Hospital on Tuesday (28/4). Arifah has coordinated with KAI officials and inquired about the women’s special carriage. She also received explanations from KAI regarding the position of the women’s carriage at the front or rear. “Earlier, when we talked with KAI, why it was placed at the very front or very back, so that there is no fighting over seats,” she said. However, according to Arifah, due to the impact of this accident, she wants changes. She requested that the end carriages be filled with men’s carriages. “So, men at the ends. Front and back for men, so women in the middle,” she said. In this fatal accident, the Argo Bromo train crashed into the rear of the KRL that was stopped at Bekasi Timur Station on Monday (27/4) night. All 15 fatalities were women in the women’s carriage.