Ministry of Transportation Findings: ALS Bus That Collided with Tanker Truck Lacks Operating Permit

JAKARTA - The Director General of Land Transportation, Aan Suhanan, stated that the Antar Lintas Sumatera (ALS) bus involved in the accident with a tanker truck on the Trans-Sumatra Highway does not have an operating permit. “We arrived at the location and checked the vehicles involved. It was found that this ALS bus has not had a permit since 4 November 2020. Meanwhile, the Electronic Roadworthiness Test Certificate (BLUe) data is still valid until 11 May 2026,” Aan said in his official statement on Friday (8/5/2026). According to Aan, the ALS bus can be categorised as committing a serious violation in accordance with Minister of Transportation Regulation No. 15 of 2019 on the Operation of Public Motor Vehicle Passenger Transport on Routes, Article 102. Nevertheless, Aan explained that all findings on the ground will still be further investigated through an inspection audit of the company. Aan explained that during the on-site investigation, officers found differences in the vehicle chassis number, indicating the practice of forging the police number on the ALS bus. “Based on the violations committed, it is certainly potential to impose administrative sanctions in the form of suspension of permits for six to 12 months and could also be subject to revocation of permits for operating public motor vehicle passenger transport on routes. Regarding the imposition of sanctions, we will investigate further,” Aan said. From the incident, there were 16 fatalities consisting of 11 bus passengers, 3 bus crew, and 2 tanker truck crew. Meanwhile, there were 4 injured victims consisting of 3 bus passengers and 1 bus crew.