Jakarta Council Demands Cable Audit After Fatal Accident Involving High School Student

Jakarta DPRD member Hardiyanto Kenneth of the PDI Perjuangan faction has urged the Jakarta Provincial Government to audit the entire overhead cable network in the capital. The call follows a fatal accident that killed a student from SMAN 6 Jakarta, identified by the initials NAEP (16), who fell from a motorcycle that got caught on a cable and was then run over by a bus in South Jakarta. Kenneth stated that the incident must not be treated as an ordinary traffic accident. According to him, the tragedy that claimed the life of a student is a loud alarm regarding weak supervision and poor governance of utility infrastructure in Jakarta. “I extend my deepest condolences to the victim’s family. But behind this grief, there is a serious problem that must be fixed. This is not just an ordinary accident, but an indication of negligence in the management of utility infrastructure that has the potential to endanger the public,” Kenneth said in a statement on Wednesday (24/6). Kenneth therefore requested that the Jakarta Provincial Government, together with relevant agencies, immediately conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the exact cause of the incident, including tracing the party responsible for the dangling cable at the accident site. Kenneth stated that public safety must not be defeated by weak supervision or poor utility governance. On that basis, if an element of negligence is found on the part of the utility network owner, the government must impose firm sanctions. “Do not let this case end merely with expressions of concern. There must be an evaluation and clear enforcement of responsibility. Public safety must not be defeated by weak supervision or poor utility governance,” he said. “If proven negligent, the utility company must be subject to maximum fines, permit suspension, and full responsibility to the victim’s family,” he continued. Kenneth assessed that the problem of chaotic cables in Jakarta is not new. He said the recurring issue of dangling cables indicates a failure in enforcing existing regulations. He noted that Jakarta already has a clear legal foundation through Regional Regulation (Perda) Number 8 of 2025 concerning the Placement of Utility Networks, which regulates the relocation of overhead cable networks underground. On this basis, Kenneth argued it is time to conduct a total audit of all overhead cable networks in Jakarta to map out vulnerable points that could potentially cause similar accidents. “We still frequently find messy and dangling cables in various areas of Jakarta. This condition can no longer be considered normal. The government must immediately conduct data collection, enforcement, and ensure all utility owners comply with applicable safety standards,” he said. Kenneth also highlighted the weak execution of utility management policies by the relevant regional apparatus. He believes there needs to be a comprehensive evaluation of the performance of the Jakarta Bina Marga Agency, which plays a crucial role in the supervision and management of urban utilities. “Jakarta needs a total audit of overhead cables and a single command for utility supervision so there is no more passing of responsibility. Public safety must be the top priority,” he said. Furthermore, Kenneth urged the government to conduct a large-scale operation to tidy up overhead cables deemed hazardous to public safety. He requested that all points of dangling cables across Jakarta be immediately mapped and acted upon. “We must be firm in conducting a large-scale operation. We check all of Jakarta for points where cables are dangling and just cut them. If they are affected, they can coordinate later; we will order them to move the cables underground,” he said. Previously, a tenth-grade student from SMAN 6 Jakarta, NAEP, died after falling from a motorcycle that snagged on a wire cable and was then run over by a school bus in South Jakarta on Thursday (18/6). At the time, the victim was being taken to school by her father. “The incident occurred in the morning around 5:30 AM WIB. A motorcycle carrying two riders was passing through Jalan Lauser. They happened to reside in the Ciledug area and were taking a child to school,” said Kebayoran Baru Sub-district Head Rachmat Mulyadi on Thursday (18/6). He said the accident occurred when the motorcycle carrying the victim passed the location on Jalan Lauser, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. However, the motorcycle’s handlebar allegedly snagged on a cable that was stretched across and protruding into the roadway, causing the vehicle to wobble and the riders to fall. “When passing Jalan Lauser, right in front of the park, there was a cable stretched across, protruding somewhat into the road, so the rider’s handlebar got caught, then wobbled, causing them to fall, and during that fall, the passenger became the victim who died,” Rachmat explained.