Class action against PLN

Class action against PLN

Power blackout which affected most parts of Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi last Thursday also inflicted big losses on the public. Thousands of passengers of the electrical (commuter) train serving Jakarta-Bogor route were abandoned untransported. Fires in Jakarta and other areas on Thursday night were reportedly caused by candles and oil lamps. These were an indirect impact of the power blackout. Motorists were caught in traffic jams as all traffic lights were out. The fertilizer factory, Pupuk Kujang, in Cikampek, West Java, had to halt its production, as the factory generators could only supply power for lighting at the factory complex, including the houses of the factory staffers.

Eddie Widiono, PLN president, said that the blackout was the result from the damage in the High Voltage Powerhouse in Cibinong, West Java.

The second blackout took place on Friday morning, and Eddie said that after necessary repairs that PLN could not guarantee that the problems would be completely settled.

These statements indicated PLN's unreadiness to serve the public despite its long experience.

Therefore, the class action suit initiated by the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) is obviously relevant and understandable. YLKI is ready to help those who want to file lawsuit against PLN and the public has the right for that as stipulated by Laws on Consumer Protection.

There are times when the public must demand their rights on infrastructure services.

-- Harian Ekonomi Neraca, Jakarta