Motorcycle Taxi Passenger Killed Due to Damaged Road: Banten Provincial Government Responds

Motorcycle taxi driver Al Amin Maksum has been reported to police following an accident caused by a pothole that resulted in the death of his passenger. The Banten Provincial Government stated that Labuan Highway, where the incident occurred, was undergoing repairs at the time.

Head of the Serang City Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency, Arlan Marzan, said that on 27 January 2026 — the date of the accident — repair work was being carried out on Labuan Highway. The repairs had commenced on 16 January 2026.

“From 22 to 28 January, road repair and maintenance work was temporarily suspended due to rain and unfavourable weather conditions. After that, repairs resumed,” Arlan said on Monday (23/2/2026).

Arlan also stated that officers received a report of an accident on 27 January 2026, specifically at Gardu Tanjak in Pandeglang Regency. He said that the Pandeglang Road Maintenance Technical Implementation Unit had installed warning signs when the project began.

“Road repair signs had been installed, including markers around the incident location,” he said.

Arlan noted that repairs have now been completed. However, he said that any new damage would be promptly addressed.

“It’s finished now. But there are usually new instances of damage because it’s still the rainy season,” he said.

Previously, motorcycle taxi driver Al Amin Maksum from Pandeglang was reported to police by the victim’s family after their child died in the traffic accident. The family could not accept that their child had died whilst riding as a passenger with Amin.

Al Amin Maksum’s legal counsel, Elang Mulyana, said the incident occurred on Tuesday (27/1) on the Labuan-Pandeglang Highway, specifically in Kampung Gardu Tanjak, Pandeglang Regency. At the time, the motorcycle ridden by Al Amin struck a pothole, causing it to fall.

“After falling, they were hit by an ambulance travelling behind them. Both suffered serious injuries, but the passenger died,” Elang said.

According to Elang, the victim’s family subsequently reported the incident to the Pandeglang District Police. His client was reported under Article 310 paragraph (4) of Law No. 22 of 2009 on Road Traffic and Transport, relating to negligence causing a fatal traffic accident.

“We have submitted a request for case termination through a restorative justice mechanism as regulated under the Criminal Procedure Code. This case is not suitable for court proceedings because our client is also a victim of an accident caused by a damaged road,” he said.

Elang stated that Amin had been designated as a suspect and was required to report regularly. He questioned the suspect designation, arguing that the primary cause of the accident was the damaged road condition.

“Legal responsibility should be directed at the road operator, namely the local government. The damaged road was the primary factor causing the accident that claimed a life,” he said.

Banten Police Say No Suspect Has Been Named

Head of Public Relations for the Banten Regional Police, Commissioner Maruli Hutapea, stated that as of now, no suspect has been formally designated in the case. Police are still conducting their investigation.

“It should be noted that to this day, the Pandeglang Traffic Police investigators are still examining the case. The status remains under investigation. It is confirmed that no suspect has been designated, contrary to viral reports,” Maruli said at a press conference.

He explained that the report was filed by the victim’s family and that Al Amin’s current status remains that of a reported party.

“His status is still that of a reported party,” he said.