Blackout draws ire from YLKI

Blackout draws ire from YLKI

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Consumers Organization (YLKI)
yesterday urged state-owned electricity company PLN to enhance
its maintenance and control system at its facilities and improve
public service.

YLKI chairperson Tini Hadad said the massive blackout in
several areas in South Jakarta Sunday and yesterday reflected
PLN's failure to meet public expectations in its maintenance and
control systems.

The traditional obscure explanation to customers saying that
the blackout was due to "technical problems" indicates that the
company's public service was poor, she said.

"If there's a technical problem, the customer service staff
should also explain in more detail, such as where and why it
happened," Tini suggested.

According to PLN staffer, Budi Setiya, the blackout Sunday hit
Cinere and Kemang and their surroundings.

But Kompas daily reported yesterday that residents in other
areas of South Jakarta, such as Ciputat, Pamulang, Pondok Cabe
and Lebak Bulus also experienced blackouts during the weekend.

The blackout hit some areas in the early hours of the day.
They were without electricity for between two and 23 hours.

Some of the locations, including Pasar Minggu and Jl.
Fatmawati, were still experiencing a lack of power as of
yesterday.

Complaints were telephoned to the YLKI office during the
blackout, said Tini.

When the YLKI staff contacted PLN, they only received an
explanation saying that there was a "technical disruption in its
hardware", Tini said.

There was no further statement made by the firm, she said.

In a hearing at the House of Representatives yesterday, PLN
president Djiteng Marsudi said that the blackout was caused by
"an explosion of one of its transformers at PLN's substation in
Gandul, south of Jakarta, which later burnt the cables".

"The repair surely needed time, so we apologize for that,"
said Djiteng.

But, Tini asked: "How could it happen?"

According to her, PLN should have carried out adequate and
routine control and maintenance to avoid such a sudden and
prolonged blackout.

"And please don't use that as an excuse for PLN's bad
service," she said.

Tini said that if PLN repeatedly offered similar poor service,
they would have to reconsider its plan to raise electricity
prices.

"The bottom line is that PLN should look inside, including its
technical division and customer service staff, who often grumble
over the customers who were late in paying their electricity
bills," she said.

The blackout was the second of this year, following the first
in April which hit Jakarta and most of Java and Bali causing huge
financial losses.

April's blackout was later studied by YLKI, which then filed a
lawsuit against PLN on behalf of the public for the sake of
customer protection.

The ruling has yet to be determined in the case. (04/jsk)