Jakarta Student Dies After Getting Caught in Cable, Legislator Criticises Utility Management
A student from SMAN 6 Jakarta has reportedly died following an accident caused by a dangling cable on Jalan Lauser, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, on Thursday (18/6/2026). The death of the 16-year-old student, identified by the initials NAEP, is being seen as a moment that should spur improvements to the capital’s utility networks.
Jakarta DPRD member from the PDI Perjuangan faction, Hardiyanto Kenneth, believes the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government must conduct a total audit of all overhead cable networks in the capital. He stressed that the incident is a stark warning about weak oversight and poor management of utility infrastructure in Jakarta.
“This is not just an ordinary accident, but an indication of negligence in utility infrastructure management that has the potential to endanger the public,” Kenneth said in a statement on Tuesday (23/6/2026).
According to him, public safety must not be compromised by weak supervision or poor utility governance. Therefore, the government must impose strict sanctions if negligence is found on the part of the utility network owners.
“If negligence is proven, the utility company must be subject to maximum fines, suspension of permits, and full responsibility towards the victim’s family,” stressed the member of Commission C of the Jakarta DPRD.
Kenneth assessed that the recurring problem of dangling cables demonstrates a failure to enforce existing regulations. This is despite the existence of Regional Regulation (Perda) No. 8 of 2025, which governs utility networks in Jakarta.
Consequently, he argued, a total audit of all overhead cable networks in the capital is necessary. This would map out vulnerable points that could potentially cause similar accidents.
“We still frequently encounter tangled and dangling cables in various areas of Jakarta. This situation 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.