Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Issues Full Clarification After Controversy Over Women's KRL Carriage Proposal

Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Arifah Fauzi, has issued an apology for her statement proposing that women’s KRL carriages be placed in the middle of the train formation. In a video uploaded to the ministry’s official Instagram account on Wednesday evening, 29 April 2026, Arifah began her apology by offering condolences to the families of the victims of the KRL Commuter Line accident with the KA Argo Bromo at Bekasi Timur station earlier this week. “First of all, I extend my deepest condolences for the train accident incident that has caused fatalities and injuries. Our hearts are with all the victims’ families and those left behind,” she said, as quoted on Thursday, 30 April 2026. In her apology video, Arifah acknowledged that her statement was inappropriate and had hurt the feelings of the victims’ families and Indonesian society. “Regarding my statement following the train accident incident at Bekasi Timur, I realise that the statement was inappropriate. For that, I apologise profusely to all of society, especially to the victims and their families who felt hurt or uncomfortable by the statement,” she said. Arifah stated that she had no intention of disregarding the safety of other passengers. She also recognised that in such situations, the primary focus should be on safety, handling, and empathy for the victims. “There was no intention on my part to disregard the safety of other passengers. I understand that in this time of grief, the main focus is on the safety and handling of the victims as well as empathy for all affected families. We all agree that the safety of all society is the number one priority, for both women and men,” she continued. She emphasised that in such situations, the safety of everyone must be prioritised without regard to gender. The government, she said, is now focusing on ensuring that victim handling is carried out to the maximum in accordance with the President’s directives. “We all agree that the safety of all society is the number one priority, for both women and men. Currently, the government’s top priority is to ensure the best handling for all victims, both those who have passed away and those who are injured. In line with the President’s instructions, all handling processes are carried out quickly, fairly, and comprehensively,” she explained.