ALS Bus Involved in South Sumatra Accident Suspected of Lacking Permit

The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) has disclosed that the ALS (Antar Lintas Sumatera) bus involved in an accident on the Trans-Sumatra Highway at Simpang Danau in Karang Jaya Subdistrict, North Musi Rawas Regency, South Sumatra, had administrative issues. Director General of Land Transportation at Kemenhub, Aan Suhanan, stated that the bus was found to lack an operational permit. “We visited the site and inspected the involved vehicle, and it was determined that this ALS bus has not had a permit since 4 November 2020. Meanwhile, the Electronic Test Pass Certificate (BLUe) data remains valid until 11 May 2026,” Aan said in a written statement on Thursday, 7 May 2026. The bus, which collided with a tanker truck on Wednesday, 6 May 2026, had previously passed through the Type A Batay Terminal (Lahat) en route to Medan, carrying 10 passengers. From Lubuklinggau Terminal, the bus departed at 10:00 WIB with a total manifest of 18 people, comprising 14 passengers and 4 crew members. The bus, registered as BK 7778 DL, was involved in the accident with the tanker truck registered as BG 8196 QB, resulting in 16 fatalities: 11 bus passengers, 3 bus crew, and 2 truck crew. There were 4 injuries: 3 bus passengers and 1 bus crew. Aan stated that this bus, owned by PT Antar Lintas Sumatera (ALS), can be categorised as committing a serious violation under Minister of Transportation Regulation Number 15 of 2019 on the Operation of Public Motor Vehicle Passenger Transport on Routes. Article 102 stipulates that falsifying valid travel documents, operating a vehicle whose permit has expired, and negligence in vehicle operation leading to an accident causing fatalities constitute such violations. Aan also mentioned that during the on-site investigation, officials found discrepancies in the vehicle’s chassis number, indicating possible forgery of the police registration number on the ALS bus. However, all field findings will be investigated through an inspection audit of the company. “Regarding the cause of the accident, the Directorate General of Land Transportation is awaiting the results of the investigation from the National Committee for Transportation Safety (KNKT) and the police inquiry,” he said.