Argo Bromo Passenger Sues KAI in Bandung District Court Over Bekasi Accident

A resident who was a passenger on the Argo Bromo Anggrek train, Rolland E Potu, has filed a civil lawsuit against PT KAI at the Bandung District Court in West Java for approximately Rp100 billion.

The lawsuit was filed in the aftermath of the train accident tragedy involving the Argo Bromo Anggrek train and a KRL in East Bekasi at the end of April. He is suing PT KAI for Rp100 billion, deeming there to be elements of negligence in handling the fatal accident.

The lawsuit filed by Rolland has been registered under case number 251/Pdt.G/2026/PN Bandung.

Rolland recounted that he was a passenger on the Argo Bromo Anggrek train intending to travel from Gambir Station in Jakarta to Pasar Turi Station in Surabaya, East Java, when the incident occurred on Monday night (27/4). He was in carriage five of the Argo Bromo Anggrek at the time.

As a long-time customer of railway services, Rolland initially claimed he had never complained about the service. However, this time, the man, who is also a lawyer by profession, decided to sue PT KAI due to the handling of the accident tragedy, which he felt was not carried out optimally.

“Before the collision, there was a sudden brake about 30 seconds earlier. But then the carriage experienced a power outage, chaos ensued, and there were screams from the train hostess who usually carries food because she was injured on her leg,” he said on Tuesday (5/5), quoted from detikJabar.

“That chaos lasted for 20 minutes because in the dark, the doors locked automatically. Only after another 20 minutes was there an announcement that we could exit through the front carriage,” he added.

After exiting the Argo Bromo Anggrek carriage, Rolland only then learned of the fatal accident at Bekasi Station. The tragedy that occurred on Monday night (27/4) resulted in 16 people dying and 90 others injured.

“Then, I waited for about an hour. And I understand that KAI was evacuating the victims who had died and were injured at that time,” he said.

After waiting an hour, Rolland decided to contact his family. Due to the lack of any information from PT KAI, he asked to be picked up to catch his flight schedule from Jakarta to Surabaya.

However, two hours later, Rolland was surprised by information from PT KAI via SMS to his mobile phone. PT KAI informed the passengers not about the accident, but rather about operational disruptions along with ticket refund information.

“That’s the basis of my lawsuit. If we examine Railway Law Article 125, when a train accident occurs, the information should be about the accident. Not about it being cancelled due to operational issues,” he stated.

“Then why rush to offer refund options without first asking about the overall condition of the passengers. They should have data on the number of victims before releasing it. After all, Argo Anggrek surely has passenger data. We have to use ID cards to buy tickets,” he continued.

Rolland explained that he is suing over KAI’s performance, including in providing information to affected passengers.

“Well, they haven’t even confirmed the overall condition of the Argo Anggrek passengers are safe, yet they only inform about refunds. That’s what I’m highlighting in my lawsuit, the issue of good corporate governance,” he emphasised.

Rolland stated that his lawsuit is intended to prompt improvements in PT KAI’s services. He also demands that the handling of the fatal accident be carried out transparently, so that the evaluation notes become improvements for the future.

“Even if improving, it’s called evaluation. But this evaluation must be carried out openly. And past implementations must have consequences if there is negligence or errors in running the company systems. So what? It will become future improvements,” he emphasised.

Rolland also assured that he would not take any profit from his Rp100 billion civil lawsuit against PT KAI. If his lawsuit is granted, the money will be directly given to the heirs of the deceased victims in the accident at East Bekasi Station.

“I state in the lawsuit that this is intended for the heirs of those who died and were injured. I will not accept a single penny. If KAI is later sentenced for it, let KAI pay to the court and the heirs can collect it from the court,” he said.

“I understand public opinion will surely have pros and cons regarding my legal action. But again, I’m fighting not for my own interest. In the lawsuit, I’ve already stated it. Whatever amount of the Rp100 billion is granted, I will not take a single penny. I’ve stated that in the lawsuit document. But my goal, I have a good intention, is for KAI to also evaluate,” he added.

As of this report, CNNIndonesia.com has not received an official statement from PT KAI or its representatives regarding the lawsuit in the Bandung District Court.

However, regarding the train accident in East Bekasi, PT KAI through President Director Bobby Rasyidin affirmed that the company is fully committed to supporting the legal process and investigation related to it by law enforcement authorities (APH) and the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT).

“We fully support the ongoing and future investigations by KNKT,” he said at East Bekasi Station, West Java, on Wednesday (29/4).

According to him, the investigation results will later serve as an important basis for conducting a comprehensive evaluation of the railway operational and safety systems.

In addition, Bobby emphasised that PT KAI is also providing attention to the victims, including the sustainability of the victims’ family lives.