DPR RI Calls for Public Consultation on Ship Passenger Limits
Makassar (ANTARA) – Bambang Haryo Suekartono, a member of Commission VII of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), has called on the government, through the Transport Ministry, to put its latest policy limiting the number of ship passengers to public consultation first.
The Commission VII faction group leader said the issue required attention because sea transport remained the main mode of transport for people in many regions, particularly lower-income communities with few alternatives.
“This is not just about the companies; the people are the ones who suffer most. There is not enough space or carrying capacity in sea transport,” he said during a working visit to Soekarno-Hatta Port in Makassar on Thursday.
In October 2026, the Transport Ministry issued a policy limiting passenger numbers according to the capacity of a ship’s lifeboats. The policy followed the sinking of the KM Virgo on the Surabaya–Banjarmasin route, in which 80 people died and 55 passengers went missing, out of 243 people on board.
Bambang called for every new policy that directly affects the public to undergo evaluation and public consultation, with relevant stakeholders involved.
He said Indonesia’s maritime safety regulations were fundamentally aligned with international standards, including the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention and rules set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
He added that maritime safety oversight and ship classification in Indonesia involved the government and the Indonesian Classification Bureau (BKI). The use of lifeboats and other safety equipment, he said, should take account of a vessel’s characteristics and passenger evacuation conditions.
“Inflatable rafts can be deployed more quickly than lifeboats in an emergency, and operating lifeboats is not easy,” he said. He also conveyed the point to port authorities, Pelindo and ship crews.
“It is a pity for people who have travelled a long way only to be unable to get a ticket because the ship’s capacity is limited,” he said.
Makassar Harbourmaster and Port Authority (KSOP) head Jon Kenedi said the newly introduced policy limiting passenger capacity was being reviewed following concerns about its impact on sea-transport users.
“It is being reviewed again. We are always ready to implement the latest rules, as the evaluation will involve many relevant agencies here, not just the KSOP,” Jon said.
The review follows the introduction of a safety policy governing the use of lifeboats on passenger ships. The policy is considered likely to significantly reduce vessels’ carrying capacity and affect people who depend on sea transport.