Illegal Crossings Guarded by Community Groups, KAI Boss: No Compromise, Shut Them Down!

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – Managing Director of PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) or KAI, Bobby Rasyidin, has issued a strong warning to various parties, including community organisations (ormas) that create illegal level crossings. Bobby stated that KAI, together with the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub), continues to crack down on illegal crossings. “As long as they do not meet the requirements to ensure safety, we must close them. If closing them involves legal channels, we will pursue that,” Bobby said during a press conference at Bekasi Timur Station, West Java, on Wednesday (28/4/2036). Bobby explained that this firm action is a follow-up to President Prabowo Subianto’s directives regarding 1,800 level crossings. Bobby said KAI will carry out upgrades or fulfil safety requirements in the form of flyovers or installing automated barrier systems. “In line with the President’s instructions yesterday, we are immediately moving today to fix and take important actions to handle these crossings,” Bobby stated. KAI, Bobby continued, has data on 1,800 level crossings and has set priorities for those that endanger train travel. Bobby hopes for public support in not creating illegal crossings. “I repeat, do not create illegal crossings anymore. Creating these illegal crossings obstructs the visibility of our train drivers,” Bobby added. Bobby also urged the public to maintain official crossings equipped with sensor devices. Bobby hopes the public will comply with the operation of official barrier systems by stopping when a train is approaching. “There is no compromise, no tolerance for safety. We have seen that even a slight disruption to safety aspects results in numerous casualties. If they do not meet the requirements, we will close them,” Bobby said.